News – Latest News

Newly Pinned Duluth Sheriff’s Deputy Follows Father’s Footsteps

Eight sheriff's deputies and 14 correctional officers took an oath to serve during the ceremony.

DULUTH, Minn.- While growing up many kids have their dream job picked out, but it can change over time. On Thursday, a childhood dream of working in dad’s profession came true. For 24 years and counting, Trevor Banks has been serving St. Louis County and with the clip of a badge, his son Tanner, is now a sheriff’s deputy just…

Lawsuit Filed Against Husky Energy by Contract Workers

The workers allege they heard a knocking noise prior to the explosion but were told to return to work

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Another class action lawsuit has been filed against Husky Energy; this one by contract workers performing maintenance work at the Superior refinery at the time of the historic explosion in April. The civil lawsuit alleges that because of Husky’s negligence workers suffered significant injuries and emotional distress during the disaster. Seven contract workers employed by two outside…

Soo Line Bridge Closed due to Fire Damage

Photo: Facebook/Cass County Sheriff’s OfficeCASS COUNTY, Minn. – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a fire in the City of Federal Dam just after 1:00 a.m. Thursday morning. When deputies and the Federal Dam Fire Department arrived on scene they found the Soo Line Bridge fully engulfed in fire. The bridge is currently closed to significant…

Four Dead in Cincinnati Bank Shooting

The Gunman is Deaceased

CINCINNATI (AP) – Police in Cincinnati say the suspect in a downtown shooting that left four dead and two wounded didn’t work for the bank where the gunfire took place. Police Lt. Steve Saunders says Fifth Third Bancorp says the man was not a current or past employee. The gunman was among the four who died. Two other people were…

Victim Identified In Fatal ATV Accident

Justin Schiles SAWYER COUNTY, Wis. – The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victim in a fatal ATV accident as Justin Schiles, 38, of Bass Lake. The crash happened Saturday about four miles north of Chippewa Trail in the town of Hayward. Schiles’ uncle, Jim Schiles, released the following statement to FOX 21: “Justin would do anything for anyone,…

Make Your Own Spinach Berry Salad & Carbonara!

Cooking Connection With Vanilla Bean & Brittney Merlot

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — Vanilla Bean’s Chef Uriah Hefter creates a Spinach & Berry Salad paired with a hand crafted Carbonara! Delicious quick and easy dinner you can make at home or stop by and get at Vanilla Bean! Spinach & Berry Salad – $10Ā Ā  Fresh spinach, feta cheese, winter berries, almonds, poppy seed dressing (add grilled chicken – $4)….

Couple who Raised Funds for Homeless man Being Investigated

Authorities Searched the Couples Home on Thursday

(Photo: Elizabeth Robertson, The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)FLORENCE, N.J. (AP) – Authorities say they’ve opened a criminal investigation and executed a search warrant at the home of a New Jersey couple who raised $400,000 online for a homeless good Samaritan who now claims they mismanaged the cash. Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said Thursday he was confirming the investigation because…

33rd Annual Duluth Rotary Rose Sale Starts Today

The 33rd Annual Rotary Rose Sale will Benefit the Northland Community

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Rotary Club begins its 33rd Annual Rose Sale Thursday, September 6. The sale will run through Thursday, October 4. Roses will be sold throughout the Duluth, Superior region for $20 dollars a dozen. The flowers will be available in red or multi-colored lollipop. Folks purchasing a bouquet of roses will also receive a complimentary coupon…

Golf Scramble to Benefit Gordon Good Neighbor Days

The Golf Scramble is Happening Sunday, September 9

GORDON, Wisc. – Folks looking to enjoy the golf course and beautiful fall-like weather the Northland is experiencing have the chance to do so Sunday, September 9 in Gordon, Wisconsin. The Best Ball Golf Scramble will kick off at Forest Point Golf Course at 10:00 a.m. Participants will have until 2:00 to tee off. Food, drinks and prizes will also…

Feds Lift Roadblock to Copper Mining Near Boundary Waters

The USDA Canceled the Withdrawal Thursday

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Trump administration has lifted a roadblock to copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Minnesota. The Obama administration in 2016 withdrew around 234,000 acres of the Rainy River watershed near Ely from eligibility for mineral leasing pending further study, citing the potential threat to the Boundary Waters. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday…

Trump Issues Disaster Declaration for Storm-Hit Minnesota

President Donald Trump has approved a disaster declaration for parts of Minnesota hit by severe storms and flooding from June 15 to July 11.

ST. PAUL, Minn.-President Donald Trump has approved a disaster declaration for parts of Minnesota hit by severe storms and flooding from June 15 to July 11. The declaration announced late Wednesday, which was requested by Gov. Mark Dayton , makes funding available to state, local and tribal governments and certain nonprofits for emergency work, repair or replacement of damaged facilities,…

Local Steelworker Unions Vote to Authorize a Strike

Strike could come if union officials call one after upcoming negotiations with U.S. Steel

KEEWATIN, Minn. – After months of negotiations, no deal has been reached between U.S. Steel and the United Steelworkers union. Now, local unions are voting to authorize a strike. Monday, workers from the MinnTac mine in Mountain Iron voted unanimously to authorize a strike. Tuesday, workers at the KeeTac mine in Keewatin voted to do the same. If a strike…

One Killed in Biwabik Township Accident

The Rider was not Wearing a Helmet

BIWABIK TOWNSHIP, Minn. – One man is dead following a two vehicle crash that occurred in Biwabik Township late Wednesday night. According to Minnesota State patrol a Toyota Corolla was making a left hand turn onto Heritage Trail from eastbound highway 135 when a motorcycle going westbound on Highway 135 struck the passenger side of the Toyota as it made…

It’s Fun to Play at the YMCA

YMCA Open House from Sept. 4-9

DULUTH, Minn.- If you’re looking for a new way to get active this fall, or just want to change up your current workout, you can do so for free at the Duluth YMCA this week. Now through Sunday the 9th,Ā  The “Y” is offering all of its services and programs to the public for free, no strings attached. That includes…

Longtime Duluth Teacher Retiring After 30 Year Career

Throughout her career Mrs. Ostazeski believes she's taught more than 1,000 students.

DULUTH, Minn. – Mary Ostazeski is known as Mrs.O and the kids love her. “She’s creative and she loves all of us,” said Lester Park Elementary School Student Grace Lyytinen. Mrs. O knew she wanted to be a teacher when she was in the fourth grade. Here she is as a student. “Then I started babysitting in my neighborhood, then…

Rev ‘Em Up to Ride to Clyde

Bike Night at Clyde Iron Works

DULUTH, Minn.- If you have two wheels and nowhere to go, Clyde Iron Works on Wednesday nights might be the place to be. Dozens of hogs of all types rode in for the “Ride to Clyde Bike Night” in Lincoln Park. Motorcycle diversity was the ideal outcome, to show that there’s more to motorcycles than just the Harley Davidson, according…

Fall Semester Begins at University of Wisconsin Superior

More than 2,500 undergraduate and more than 200 graduate students are enrolled at UWS.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin Superior (UWS) is buzzing with excitement as the Yellowjackets are back on campus. Many students have been waiting for the fall semester to begin. Even the students who come from a small town school and make the transition to a bigger campus like UWS. “Making connections with classmates and professors; kind of learning…

Construction in Two Harbors Continues and Businesses Remain Open

The bigger part of the Two Harbors construction project is in full swing.

TWO HARBORS, Minn.- Those who are familiar with Two Harbors are no strangers to the construction that took over in June. Until now, traffic has had minimal problems flowing through the town, but the newest portion of the project calls for single-lane traffic to move in one way each direction, led by a flagger on the weekdays. Several acts are…

Local Resident Takes Advantage of Construction Traffic

See Steven in Two Harbors for all of your knife-purchasing needs!

TWO HARBORS, Minn.- A local resident of Two Harbors is capitalizing on the traffic being backed up through the city. Steven Schluneger has been in the business of selling knives for 22 years. Now that he’s winding down, he’s looking to get rid of leftover inventory and the construction traffic is turning out to be his new customer base. “It’s…

Not Fall Color Season Just Yet but Duluth is Still Blooming

It's peak time at Duluth's Rose Garden.

DULUTH, Minn.- While you’re waiting for the fall colors now’s the perfect time to enjoy the rose garden in Duluth. Workers with the city of Duluth and volunteers have been hard at work all summer to keep the roses blooming into October. The caretakers are deadheading them, this is a process of cutting the roses helps keep them alive much…

Virtual Library Cards Give Students 24/7 Access to Resources

The Library Ports Project is a partnership between the Duluth Public School and the Duluth Public Library.

DULUTH, Minn.- This weekĀ 8,500 students in the Duluth School District now have24-hourĀ access to resources from the Duluth PublicĀ Library. City leaders and educators believe this Library Port program will spark interest in reading. Every student will have their own unique virtual card with easy an easy to remember code. “Our students will be able to access information and resources from the…

Autopsy Shows Hypothermia Apparent Cause of Kayakers’ Deaths

ASHLAND, Wis. (AP) – Autopsies indicate hypothermia and possibly drowning apparently caused the deaths of four Wisconsin family members kayaking on Lake Superior. Ashland County Sheriff Mick Brennan tells the Ashland Daily News that preliminary autopsy results indicate that 39-year-old Eric Fryman died of hypothermia while his three children, ages 3 to 9, died of hypothermia and possibly drowning. The…

Lake Superior College President Announces Retirement

Dr. Johns Will Retire Effective June 30, 2019

DULUTH, Minn. – Lake Superior College President Dr. Patrick Johns announced today that this will be his last academic year as the leader of Lake Superior College. Dr. Johns was named President of LSC in 2010 and has had a career in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System for 42 years. ā€œIt has been a privilege to serve in…

Major Opioid Maker to pay for Overdose-Antidote Development

Purdue is Making a $3.4 Million Grant to Harm Reduction Therapeutics

(AP Photo/Douglas Healey, File)(AP) – A company whose prescription opioid marketing practices are being blamed for sparking the addiction and overdose crisis says it’s helping to fund an effort to make a lower-cost overdose antidote. OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma announced Wednesday that it’s making a $3.4 million grant to Harm Reduction Therapeutics, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit, to help develop a low-cost…

Lawsuit States Oil Refinery Owners Negligent in Blast, Fire

Husky has not Responded

SUPERIOR, Wis. (AP) – A lawsuit alleges that negligence by the owners of Wisconsin’s only oil refinery caused an explosion and fire that injured 36 people and caused a mandatory evacuation in the city of Superior. The class action lawsuit against Husky Energy says the evacuation after the April 26 refinery explosion forced the three plaintiffs to spend extra money…

Jet Quarantined in New York After Reports of Sick Passengers

100 of the 520 People on Board Were Being Evaluated

NEW YORK (AP) – A plane was quarantined at New York’s Kennedy Airport amid reports of numerous ill passengers aboard a flight from Dubai. There were conflicting reports about how many people were sick aboard the Emirates flight, which landed around 9:10 a.m. Wednesday. The airline says about 10 passengers were ill and got medical attention “as a precaution.” The…

Experience the St. Louis River Aboard the Vista Fleet

The Annual St. Louis River Experience Voyage is Tuesday, September 11, 2018

DULUTH, Minn. – Folks looking to take a cruise on the St. Louis River have the chance to do so aboard the Vista Fleet on Tuesday, September 11. The event is being put on by the St. Louis River Alliance. Folks will start boarding the Vista at 5:00 Tuesday evening, depart at 5:30 and return to the dock around 7:00….

Intense Rain Floods Streets, Closes Interstate in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Heavy rain has flooded streets and highways in southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin, challenging motorists to find new routes to their destinations. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation closed U.S. Highway 12 in both directions southeast of Eau Claire Wednesday morning where an observer reported 6 inches of rain. The flooding is expected to recede throughout the day….

Animal Answers: A Call of the Wild LIVE in Studio

The Lake Superior Zoo Stopped by FOX 21 Local News with Three Critters Wednesday Morning

DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Zoo is a fun place for many families to gather and connect with their wild side. Wednesday morning, FOX 21 Local News hosted Jessamy Schwartz from the Lake Superior Zoo. Schwartz brought along three animals most people know little about in depth. A nine-month-old hedgehog, a tortoise and a Skittles the snake helped inform…

Chisholm to Host Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Event Takes Place September 15th

HIBBING, Minn – According to the CDC, more Americans are dying from Alzheimer’s Disease. The number of people who have died from it has more than doubled in the last 20 years. Much of that has to do with the fact that there are a greater number of older Americans now, and health professionals are able to make diagnosis they…

Electric Buses Soon to be Tested in Duluth’s Climate

The study will see how the buses run in Duluth's cold climate.

DULUTH, Minn.- A brand new bus is in town, electric buses will soon be apart of the Duluth Transit Authority. Seven electric buses are hitting the roads next month after a $6.3 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration.Ā The climate in Duluth it an ideal candidate to test how the electric buses run in the winter months.Ā They’re being used in…

Garland Museum Reacts to the Finding of Dorothy’s Missing Red Slippers

The museum and birthplace of Judy Garland is thrilled to have a piece of their home back... sort of.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- After finding Judy Garland’s iconic ruby red slippers that were stolen from the museum in her home 13 years ago, officials were excited to have a part of their history back. Judy Garland was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MN. One of America’s most cherished actresses, her life and iconic character of Dorothy from the 1939…

Victim Identified In Downtown Duluth Homicide; Suspect Arrested

'Scott was a caring, kind-hearted man with an amazing sense of humor'

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police have made an arrest in the death of Scott Pennington, 31, of Duluth, whoĀ  shot and killed over the weekend in downtown Duluth. Jamal Tyshawn Jackson That 25-year-old suspect, Jamal Tyshawn Jackson, was lodged in the St. Louis County Jail Tuesday on a preliminary charge of second-degree intentional homicide.Ā Ā  He was arrested Sunday in Hennepin…

Thirsty Pagan Moving to Iconic Part of Superior

The Brewery is moving to 1615 Winter Street and they hope to open the first week of January.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Thirsty Pagan Brewing is leaving its current location and moving to an iconic part of Superior. The Brewery is moving to the Soo Line Depot at 1615 Winter Street. Ownership of the business say the move will allow for them to spread their wings, getting even more customers. “We’re going to be able to do some things…

First Classes in Many Rivers Montessori School’s New Location

Teachers say its all about community building on the first day at the school.

DULUTH, Minn.-It’s the first day back to school for many students in the Northland. Over at Many Rivers Montessori School, the students and teachers have a lot to be happy about because it’s their first day at their new permanent building on Red Wing Street in Woodland. Teachers say its all about community building today at the school. Students are…

Back to School Bash Held at WITC

SUPERIOR, Wis.-The Back to School Bash was held at WITC in Superior earlier today after starting classes last week. The event is made to get students to bond as the school year kicks off at the college. “Kind of meet new friends, see old friends, kind of get back in the grove of things even though it’s a week since…

New Bloodmobile Removes Donation Barriers

Meet the faces you're helping stay healthy by donating blood.

DULUTH, Minn.- The goal is to increase blood donations in the Northland as a brand new bloodmobile is now opening in Duluth andĀ health professionals say blood donations are needed more than you may think. Health experts say having a mobile donation station removes a barrier to donating blood and for some families the need for blood hits close to home….

Stolen Ruby Slippers Worn in ‘Wizard of Oz’ Recovered

The Shoes Were Insured for $1 Million

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. – The ruby red slippers worn in the Wizard of Oz have been recovered. The slippers were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids in 2005. On Tuesday, they were unveiled in public for the first time in thirteen years. Dorothy’s ruby red slippers are one of the most iconic pieces of Hollywood memorabilia. We’ve…

Felony Charges Filed Against Hermantown Shooting Suspect

Bail has Been set at $200,000

DULUTH, Minn. – Charges have been filed against 21-year-old Benny Ray Urrutia Jr. following a shooting that took place in Hermantown on Friday. Urrutia is facing one charge of first degree assault and one charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the criminal complaint Urrutia shot a female in her buttocks in the Econo Lodge…

Minnesota State Fair Sets new Attendance Record

More Than 270,000 People Visited the Fair on Saturday

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota State Fair organizers say this year’s event attracted a record number of people. More than 2 million people visited the Great Minnesota Get Together which concluded its 12-day run on Labor Day. The fair set an all-time single day attendance record on Saturday with more than 270,000 visitors. The number of 2018 visitors broke…

Midwest Economic Conditions Take Leap Forward

The Survey Covers Nine States

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A monthly survey report suggests economic conditions in nine Midwest and Plains states took a leap forward last month. The report released Tuesday says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index jumped to 61.1 in August, compared with 57.0 in July. It’s the 21st straight month that the index remained above growth neutral 50.0. Creighton University economist Ernie…

Tall Ships to Rendezvous in Bayfield this Weekend

The First Bayfield Classic Boat and Schooner Rendezvous is Happening September 7 - 9 in Bayfield

BAYFIELD, Wisc. – Tall ships will not be docking in the Duluth, Superior harborĀ in the near future, but they will be on display in Bayfield. Lake Superior Tall Ships is proud to present classic wooden boats and schooners in the Bayfield harbor September 7 – 9, 2018. Visitors will be able to enjoy the beautiful views and educational tours as…