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Longtime Hartley Nature Center Leader Moves to Next Adventure

Tom O'Rourke taking his passion for environment and nature to his next challenge.

Duluth’s Hartley Nature Center is a city treasure. And now the person who has helped lead it for over a decade is moving on to his next adventure. “Hartley is such a community gem, you know, and the staff are so amazing. The board, the supporters,” said outgoing Executive Director, Tom O’Rourke. “You know any time you tell people that…

Students Protest Ending of Theater Program at St. Scholastica

DULUTH, Minn. — A late Friday afternoon announcement that the College of St. Scholastica is ending its theatre productions led to a protest Monday outside the school president’s office. Students from the theater program and others gathered for a sit-in to let school officials know they disagree with the decision. The CSS students were joined by UMD theatre students who…

Global Negotiations On A Treaty To End Plastic Pollution At Critical Phase In Canada

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — For the first time, negotiators from most of the world’s nations are discussing the text of what is supposed to become a global treaty to end plastic pollution. Delegates and observers at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution called it a welcome sign that talk has shifted from ideas to treaty language at this fourth of five…

Endion Station Inn Hosts ‘The Great Duluth Sweat Together’

DULUTH, Minn. – Hearty Duluthians came out Saturday for The Great Duluth Sweat Together at the Endion Station Inn in Canal Park. The fun included around a dozen mobile Wood Fire Saunas and an Endion Deck Sauna. People also got their cold plunge into Lake Superior or use cold plunge tubs. The event was described as a day full of…

May Day Observance In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – In the United States and Canada, workers celebrate Labor Day. While around the world people celebrate May 1st as the day to honor workers. Union members in the United States also observe May Day. They take time out to look back and look forward to what’s been accomplished and what remains to be done. At the Duluth…

Students To Protest College of St. Scholastica’s Decision To Cut Theatre Program

DULUTH, Minn. —  There was growing disappointment and sadness Sunday from current and former theatre students at the College of St. Scholastica after learning Friday that the college’s long-running theatre program will be dissolved.  Students plan to hold a sit-in protest at CSS during the day Monday to try to get the decision reversed. “These stories that everyone has, it…

Iron County Sheriff’s Office Considers 2 Horse Deaths ‘Suspicious’

Two horse fatalities are under investigation in Iron County. The Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook to say investigators consider the deaths “suspicious.” The deaths happened Wednesday night into early Thursday on a property off of County Highway C in South Carey. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt, Foryan or Sgt. Wozniak of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office at…

$3 Million Secured In Senate Bonding Bill For New 148th Fighter Wing Hangar

Sen. Grant Hauschild (DFL-Dist. 3) has announced $3 million for the 148th Fighter Wing has been secured in the Senate Capital Investment Bonding Bill. If a super majority approves the funding, it would assist in the construction of a new hangar for the Fighter Wing. The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce has been the lead advocate for the new hangar…

College Of St. Scholastica’s Decades-Long Theatre Productions To Shut Down

The decision was made as the college "navigates the challenging environment of higher education"

DULUTH, Minn. – The Twin Ports theater community will be losing one of its longest-running stages this fall when the College of St. Scholastica shuts down its decades-long theatre program. Students have been producing high-quality productions for the CSS campus and the general community since at least the 1970s, according to a former director of the program. The college released…

‘One Pill Can Kill’ — The Fentanyl Crisis

DULUTH, Minn – Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa was one of four Minnesota law enforcement officers to appear with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) who spoke about the fentanyl crisis.  The online event was designed to raise awareness of the increasing dangers of fentanyl. It has been involved in 92 percent of overdose deaths in Minnesota. Fentanyl is increasingly becoming known…

WLSSD Hosts Annual Earth Week Block Party

DULUTH, Minn.– The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District held its annual Courtland Street Block Party Friday, in honor of Earth Week. The WLSSD block party is dedicated to protecting the environment and public health within the community. People dropped off waste and plastics. And a station was set up for the proper disposal of unwanted medications. Atlas Games also had…

Damiano Center Has Job Opportunity For Teens

DULUTH, Minn. — The Damiano Center has a job opportunity for teenagers looking to make a difference in younger people’s lives. The Summer Food Corps position is all about learning to garden and helping make healthy meals but also leading activities and supporting the Kid’s Kitchen. The Kid’s Kitchen is a free drop-in children’s program that runs 2:30 to 5:30…

Duluth Pack Giving Back to the Outdoors with Arbor Day Campaign

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Pack has started up their annual campaign all about giving back to the great outdoors. It is the 7th annual Arbor Day Campaign, “Buy A Pack, We Give Back.” The business partners with the Minnesota DNR to plant tree saplings. They plant one sapling for every single one of Duluth Pack manufactured items sold. To date…

Northeast Minnesota Criminal Justice Summit Focuses on Crime Survivors

DULUTH, Minn. — The 2024 Northeast Minnesota Criminal Justice Summit took place Thursday. The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office hosting the event at Pike Lake Beach and Gold Club. The day long training is for law enforcement, prosecutors, social workers and others to learn new ways to serve victims of crimes. It focused on human trafficking, compensation for victims, sexual…

Esports Comes to Boys & Girls Club of Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. –The growth of Esports is continuing in both high schools and colleges as well as with younger audiences.  The acceptance and growth of gaming are evidenced by the new Esports lounge at the Boys and Girls Club in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Wednesday afternoon saw the grand opening of the Esports Lounge at the club. For the past…

Insomnia Cookies Grand Opening Makes Late-Night Treats Available to UMD Students

The chain opened their fifth Minnesota location -- right across from UMD's campus

DULUTH, Minn. — Insomnia Cookies opened its first location in Duluth today, bringing late night treats to UMD students and the community. And it’s not too late to check out the grand opening and satisfy your cravings with a free cookie! The chain is open until 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1 a.m. all other days. This afternoon, students…

Duluth Junk Hunt Back At The DECC This Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — A 3-day indoor market filled with vintage items and handmade goods is taking place at the DECC starting Thursday. The Duluth Junk Hunt has over 150 vendors. Visitors can find furniture, home decor, clothing, bakery treats, artwork and more. The Junk Hunt happens twice a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Part of…

Duluth’s Best Bread Expands to Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Duluth’s Best Bread is officially expanding to Superior after a successful pop-up event there. This will be the company’s third location. It will be located at 1418 Tower Avenue in the same location where the pop-up shop was held. It will open May 28 and open Tuesdays through Sundays. The family-owned French-German bakery opened its first store…

Former Superior Police Sgt. Takes Plea Deal In 2022 Fatal Crash

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A former Sergeant with the Superior Police Department is taking a plea deal in a 2022 fatal hit and run crash that involved alcohol. With a guilty plea of two counts of Vehicular Homicide involving alcohol, 44-year-old Gregory Swanson is facing the possibility of 9 years in prison for each count. Court documents say Swanson’s blood-alcohol level…

Polka Legend Florian Chmielewski Dies at 97

DULUTH, Minn. — After a lifetime of Polka Music, governing at the Minnesota Legislature, and farming, 97-year-old Florian Chmielewski has passed away. He leaves behind a legion of fans who loved him and the polka music he played. Playing the accordion for decades with the Chmielewski Fun Time Band, Florian Chmielewski entertained thousands upon thousands of people in person throughout…

Biden Says The US Is Rushing Weaponry To Ukraine As He Signs A $95 Billion War Aid Measure Into Law

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he was immediately rushing badly needed weaponry to Ukraine as he signed into law a $95 billion war aid measure that also included assistance for Israel, Taiwan and other global hotspots. The announcement marked an end to the long, painful battle with Republicans in Congress over urgently needed assistance for Ukraine, with Biden promising…

Airlines Will Now Be Required To Give Automatic Cash Refunds For Canceled And Delayed Flights

(AP) — The Biden administration issued final rules Wednesday to require airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for things like delayed flights and to better disclose fees for baggage or canceling a reservation. The Transportation Department said airlines will be required to provide automatic cash refunds within a few days for canceled flights and “significant” delays. Under current regulations, airlines decide how long a delay…

Coffee Conversation: Denfeld Theater Presents The Outsiders Play, April 25-27

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Denfeld High School presents a theater performance of The Outsiders based on the popular novel at Lincoln Park Middle School from April 25-27. Duluth Denfeld senior students, Kai Smith and Ayden Cavanaugh, are both playing the role of Johnny Cade in the play. They joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Wednesday to talk about it…

Northland College Receives Last-Minute ‘Transformative Donor Gifts’

ASHLAND, Wis. — Another sign of hope was reported Tuesday evening involving the future of Northland College. College officials they received “several transformative donor gifts” within the last 24 hours that has “considerably” impacted what is possible for the future of Northland College. Three weeks ago the Board issued a statement of financial crisis. Northland had a goal of raising…

FOX 21 Visits UWS Journalism Students At ‘The Promethean’

SUPERIOR, Wis. — FOX 21’s Dan Hanger was invited to visit UWS journalism students Tuesday to talk about the television news business, learn about UWS’s longstanding student-run newspaper, The Promethean, and watch the latest Promethean TV newscast.  Three UWS students currents work at FOX 21 and have been a great addition to our newsgathering operation!   Categories: Community, Education, News,…

UMD Students Create Tiny Study Buddies Ahead of Finals

'Make and Take' Air Clay Creations Just One of Many Activities During Stressless Week

DULUTH, Minn. — Finals season is fast approaching at UMD and the Kathryn A. Martin Library is once again holding Stressless Week for students. In the lead up to final exams, the library is looking to help students reduce stress and take a break. Tuesday afternoon, it partnered with the Graduate Student Association to hold a ‘Make and Take’ Study…

Ecolibrium 3 Hosts 4th Annual Earth Week

DULUTH, Minn. — A luncheon kicked off Ecolibrium 3’s 4th annual Earth Week. The gathering at Clyde Iron Works is the start of a week focused on environmental issues like climate change and sustainability. The week will include volunteering at a park cleanup and exploring the outdoors. CEO Jodi Slick tells Fox 21 what she hoped the day would bring….

Knowing Your Neighbor: Spring Creek Manufacturing

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn.– Dating back to 1985, Spring Creek Manufacturing has a long history of providing recreation enthusiasts with the tools they need to have a great day on the water. “Spring Creek Manufacturing was founded in 1985, Ted Newburg wanted a better way to carry canoes and propel canoes and do all those things and so literally out of…

Minnesota State Senator Arrested On Suspicion Of Burglary

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A state senator and former broadcast meteorologist was arrested on suspicion of burglary early Monday in the northwestern Minnesota city of Detroit Lakes, police said. Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell, 49, of Woodbury, was being held in the Becker County Jail on suspicion of first-degree burglary. Formal charges were still pending Monday afternoon, Detroit Lakes Police Chief Steve…

Superior Students Clean Park on Earth Day, Learn Dangers of Tobacco Products

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Students in Superior got their hands dirty with a clean-up and education effort on Monday. The Northwestern Wisconsin Lung Health Alliance led the Earth Day efforts. The fourth and fifth-grade students from Lake Superior Elementary and Northwest Middle School got their buckets out and their eyes wide for trash at Wade Bowl Park. The main focus was…

Spring Allergies In Full Force This Season

DULUTH, Minn – Are you spending more time in the allergy relief aisles at your pharmacy?  It’s that time of year, the spring allergy season. A local allergist says allergy seasons are lasting longer and the pollen is becoming more potent. The lack of snow this past season and warmer temperatures had minimal impact on allergies. Dr. Minto Porter an…

Coffee Conversation: TNT Timber on Firewise Treatments, Fuels Reduction & Fire Mitigation

DULUTH, Minn. — Two brothers conduct sustainable forest management projects, all the while helping Northlanders protect their homes and structures. Tucker and Tyler Masseth are the Owners of TNT Timber. They joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Tuesday to talk about Firewise treatments, fuels reduction and fire mitigation. In recent years, a Spruce Budworm outbreak in the Northland region…

Enbridge To Test ‘Emergency Alert System’ At Superior Terminal

SUPERIOR, Wis. — If you live near the Superior Terminal, you’ll be hearing bursts of alarm tones Tuesday.  But it’s just a test. Enbridge Energy will sound its “emergency alarm system” starting at 9 a.m.  The alarm will put out 15-second tones followed by an audio message. Testing will continue Wednesday. Starting in May, Enbridge will test the alarm system…

2 Motorcyclists Injured In Separate NW Wis. Crashes With Vehicles

The motorcycle riding season has started off with two serious accidents in northwest Wisconsin over the weekend. The first incident happened Sunday afternoon in Sawyer County on Highway 70 near the Township of Winter. The Sheriff’s Office said the driver struck a motorcyclist while attempting to turn around after being on the shoulder. The motorcyclist, 57-year-old Daniel Barber, was flown…