News – Latest News

Fun for Families at the Great Northern Classic Rodeo

Hundreds of fans filled the stands watching cattle roping and other events

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Cattle roping, bull riding and more exciting events brought hundreds out to the rodeo in Superior. Horses, cattle, cowboys, and rodeo clowns are all part of the spectacle at the annual Great Northern Classic Rodeo. “It’s the best family entertainment you can find,” said Great Northern Classic Board Member Wayne Lehr. “Good clean fun.” Stands full of…

Vulture Day Celebrated at Lake Superior Zoo

Birds of prey are migrating over the Northland now

DULUTH, Minn. – Vultures and condors are being celebrated at the Lake Superior Zoo for International Vulture Day. Guests can learn all about the birds, meet a vulture named Morticia, and find out how much they could eat if they were a vulture. Zookeepers say birds of prey are important because they clean up carcasses and help keep people healthy….

No Agreement Between Union, U.S. Steel as Deadline Approaches

If no deal is done by midnight Saturday, workers will decide the next steps, including a possible strike

KEEWATIN, Minn. (AP) – U.S. Steel and the United Steelworkers union have not reached a labor deal as the deadline on their contracts approaches. United Steelworkers Local 1938 says if a deal is not reached by midnight Saturday, workers will decide the next steps, which could include a strike. Workers believe the wage increases being offered aren’t enough after years…

Local Firefighters Go Through Live Burn Training

Firefighters went through different drills to practice techniques and safety precautions.

SOLON SPRING, Wis. – The Solon Springs Fire Department held live burn training this afternoon, giving the firefighters real experience without having to be in a dangerous situation. The fire department spent the morning going through different drills, doing rapid intervention team training, working with fog patterns, smoke ventilation and more. All of the firefighters appreciated the opportunity to get…

Drag Queens and Kings Perform for Thousands

Flaming Productions is a Twin Ports Drag Troupe

DULUTH, Minn.- A popular group on the rise in the LGBTQ+ community is drag queens and kings. Many like Ariel, a local drag queen, dressed in drag to perform for thousand at the Pride Festival in Bayfront Park Saturday. “Drag is letting out that, like… little thing inside that you kind of want to throw out there and have fun…

Duluth-Superior Pride Celebrates LGBTQ+ Community

Saturday's festival at Bayfront is one of several Pride events happening this year.

DULUTH, Minn.- Bayfront park was packed with thousands celebrating the beauty of diversity in the Twin Ports for the 32nd annial Duluth-Superior Pride festival. Pride celebrations have occurred all over the world since 1970, but for three decades now the Northland has gathered the LQBTQ+ community. Saturday’s Pride Festival is expected to bring 8,000 people to enjoy events for all…

One Dead After Friday Night Shooting in Duluth

Officials Say the Shooting Happened on the 100 Block of West First Street

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police are investigating a fatal shooting after responding to a call at 12:55 Friday night on the 100 block of West 1st Street. When police arrived, they found a 31-year-old male with a gunshot wound. According to officials, the male was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities say the shooting does…

Hotels Hustling for Labor Day

Pier B Among Hotels Experiencing Increased Business on Holiday

DULUTH, Minn.-For those who don’t want to spend the three days outdoors, there’s always indoor camping in a hotel room this Labor Day Weekend. For area hotels like Pier B, Labor Day comes during the height of the busy season. With summer coming to a close, they say families looking for a last minute vacation come knocking. Where they come…

Rough Ridin’ at Superior Rodeo

Great Northern Classic Rodeo Kicks Off at Tri-State Fairgrounds

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Grab your cowboy boots and saddle up! The 27th Annual Great Northern Classic Rodeo kicked off Friday in Superior. Andrew, the energy was high, the horses hyped, and the smell was ripe. Riders tonight showed their support for breast cancer victims, by showing they were tough enough to wear pink. As hundreds of cowboy hats lined the stands at…

Class of 2022 Moves In To College of St. Scholastica

CSS starts the new school year on September 4.

DULUTH, Minn. – Students at the College of St. Scholastica are officially getting back into the new school year as the class of 2022 moved in on Friday. Students were able to move in to their dorms today and several other activities were happening, kicking off the school’s welcome week. The day brings a lot of excitement for first year…

Sliding Into Family Fun & Feeling Like A Kid Again!

Active Adventures: Minnesota State Fair Giant Slide, Family Fun For Everyone!

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. — In this week’s Active Adventures Brittney Merlot is bringing out the inner kid in every adult and taking a ride down the Giant Slide at the Minnesota State Fair! Categories: Active Adventures, Entertainment, Features, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News Tags: Active Adventures, Active Adventures at the Minnesota State Fair, Active Adventures in Minnesota, Family Fun,…

Enbridge and Fond du Lac Band Reach Line 3 Agreement

Agreement gives new 20 year right of way to Enbridge for their six pipelines on the reservation

MINNESOTA – An agreement has been reached assuring the construction of an Enbridge Line 3 replacement pipeline through the Fond du Lac Reservation. The confidential agreement reached between Enbridge and the Fond du Lac Band includes a new twenty year right of way for the Line 3 replacement and five other existing pipelines on the reservation. Categories: News, News –…

Campgrounds in the Northland are Completely Booked Out for the Holiday

Reservations were made a year in advanced for a spot on the Northshore Labor Day weekend

TWO HARBORS, Minn.- With the Labor Day weekend upon the Northland, several campsites are completely full despite a rainy possibility. The long holiday weekend is a busy time up the North shore. Burlington Bay Campground in Two Harbors is just one of many sites completely filled for the weekend. All 146 spots at the grounds are reserved, many of which…

State Patrol Crack Down on DWI Arrests for Labor Day Weekend

Over 300 state agencies are working toward safer driving on busy roads

DULUTH, Minn.- With people out celebrating the holiday weekend, the state of Minnesota is taking extra precautions. Through Sept. 3, state patrol will be cracking down on DWI enforcement. More than 400 drunk driving arrests were made during labor day weekend 2017. State Public Safety Office Neil Dickenson says that agencies are working to decrease that number to zero by…

Four Dead, One Rescued Near Apostle Islands

The Incident Was Reported on Thursday, August 30 to the Ashland County Sheriff's Office

ASHLAND COUNTY, Wisc. – Tragedy has struck the Apostle Islands. Three children, ages three, six, and nine and their father are dead after their kayak capsized on Thursday. Officials tell us a family of five went kayaking Thursday afternoon but the winds started to pick up to Around 15 to 20 mph, causing the kayak to capsize. The mother was…

Woman Shot at the Econolodge Hotel in Hermantown

The Hermantown Police Department Reports the Suspect as 21-Year-Old Benny Ray Urrutia of Duluth

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Officials with the Hermantown Police Department report one woman is now hospitalized after suffering a gunshot wound early Friday morning. Officers first responded to the Econolodge Hotel in Hermantown on reports of shots being fired and a female screaming. Witnesses report seeing a male wearing a red sweatshirt shove a female into a dark colored SUV. Witnesses say…

Help Northland Families Have the “Best Christmas Ever!”

Nominations for the 2018 "Best Christmas Ever" Will Open Saturday, September 1 and Close Thursday, November 15

DULUTH, Minn. – Although were still months away from snow on the ground (hopefully), it’s never too late to start thinking about the Holiday Season and making it special. Best Christmas Ever is a non-profit organization working to partner with business leaders and communities across the country to lift up families who have fallen on difficult times due to health…

Postponed: Movies in the Park, Friday, August 31

Tonight's "Movies in the Park" featuring Despicable Me 3 will be Postponed to Friday, September 7

DULUTH, Minn. – The Greater Downtown Council has decided to postpone tonight’s Movies in the Park series until Friday, September 7. The summer series will still show Despicable Me 3 next Friday. The call comes as severe weather is expected to push into the Northland throughout the afternoon and evening hours. Officials say the weather does, however, look just fine…

Steelworkers Rally for Fair Raises

After Not Getting a Raise in Over Three Years, United Steelworkers Union Had Enough

VIRGINIA, Minn.- Chants rang out filled with passion, and even anger. Members of the United Steel Workers union Local 1938 gathered in Virginia to protest what they feel is an insulting and unfair contract offer. “The CEOs shouldn’t live a life of luxury while the middle class worker struggles to eat and pay his bills,” said Steelworker Richard Poskarbiewicz. The proposed…

Mayor’s Reception Kicks Off Duluth-Superior Pride Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. – The 32nd annual Duluth-Superior Pride Festival has officially kicked off four days of all-inclusive events. Thursday evening, the Mayor’s Reception started the celebrations outside and inside the Duluth Depot. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson, Superior Mayor Jim Paine and Proctor Mayor Phillip Larson were all on hand to open a weekend of celebrating diversity and acceptance with the GLBTAQI…

Construction Washout Shuts Down Slip Bridge

The project manager tells us they're currently working on a temporary solution to open the Slip Bridge for the weekend.

DULUTH, Minn.-  Duluth’s seawall reconstruction project has hit another unexpected snag, forcing a temporary shutdown to pedestrian access on the Minnesota Slip Bridge. The problem is a washout beneath the sidewalk leading up to that blue bridge. City leaders tell us while working on the seawall restoration project construction workers unintentionally disturbed the fill below the concrete sidewalk causing the…

Students and Parents Invited to Open House Before School Begins

Parents and students had the chance to meet with teachers and it was also picture day.

  SUPERIOR, Wis. – Classes at Cathedral School in Superior start next Tuesday and students were invited to an open house. Parents and students had the chance to meet with teachers and it was also picture day. Students were dressed in their best and with a smile. A new school year for some students means catching up with friends, making new…

Duluth Teacher’s Journey Brings Him Back to the Northland

Fun fact, the kids Jesse will be teaching were born the year he graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2009.

DULUTH, Minn. – The first day of school can bring a lot of emotions for students and also for teachers. Even teachers who are in their first year at a new district. Jesse Frischmann always wanted to come back to Duluth. It’s the place where he got his start in teaching and now it’s finally happening for him. Students aren’t…

How to Become a Better Public Speaker

One local group is helping Northlanders feel more comfortable speaking in a professional environment.

DULUTH, Minn.- Do you have a fear of speaking in front of large crowds or presenting an idea at work? One local group aims to help improve your communication skills so you can better your professional career. An open house was held on Thursday for the Toastmasters in the Paolucci Building in Canal Park. The Toastmasters is an international club…

At least 8 injured after Chicago explosion, roof collapse

The Cause of the Explosion is Still Unclear

CHICAGO (AP) — At least eight people were injured Thursday when an explosion caused a section of roof to collapse at a Chicago water reclamation plant, trapping some of the injured people inside, authorities said. Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Merritt told the Chicago Tribune that eight people had been taken to area hospitals and were in serious-to-critical condition. At…

Cleveland-Cliffs Sues DNR and Mesabi Metallics Company Over Permits

Mesabi Metallics and Cliffs own Land in the Same Area

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – Cleveland-Cliffs filed a lawsuit against the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, its Commissioner Thomas Landwehr, and Mesabi Metallics Company, LLC on Tuesday in Itasca County District Court. Cliffs alleges in the suit that the DNR refuses to modify a mining permit for Mesabi Metallics Nashwauk project.  Cliffs had previously requested that the state of Minnesota take…

Cooking Connection: Minnesota Wine Country

Minnesota State Fair Food & Wine Pairings With Brittney Merlot & MN Wine Country

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. – The Great Minnesota Get Together is a place to unwind with friends and family and indulge in some of the best fair food finds! In this week’s Cooking Connection, Brittney Merlot takes us into the kitchen of Minnesota Wine Country! Where every dish is made with wine! We even paired our favorite dishes with the best…

Minnesota Pharmacist Sentenced for Stealing 2,000 Pills

He was Caught Slipping Pills Into his Pockets

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. (AP) – A Maple Grove pharmacist who admitted stealing 2,000 pills has been sentenced to 4 months in the county workhouse and three years of probation. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Thursday 49-year-old Jeffrey Grothaus has been ordered to report to the Plymouth lockup Sept. 19. Grothaus earlier pleaded guilty to four felony counts of theft…

General Mills Expands Paid-Time off Policy

The Policy Goes Into Effect in January

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. (AP) — Food giant General Mills is giving its employees more paid time off to care for an aging parent or ill family members and to bond with their newborns and adoptive children. The Star Tribune reports that the Minnesota-based company unveiled an expanded paid time-off policy on Wednesday. The updated policy for new parents and family…

Great Northern Classic Rodeo Takes Over Superior This Weekend

The Great Northern Classic Rodeo Starts Friday and Finishes Sunday

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’re still looking for plans Labor Day weekend, you may want to head to Superior. The 27th Annual Great Northern Classic Rodeo will begin Friday at 6:00 p.m. Friday night the rodeo will kick off with the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink Event,” and rodeo performance. There will be pre-rodeo events and Mutton Bustin’ for the kids….

Healthy Tips for Heading Back-to-School

School Starts on Tuesday, September 4 for Many Students in the Northland

DULUTH, Minn. – Heading back-to-school comes with excitement. It’s a time to meet friends, learn new stuff and grow. But it can be difficult to do so if we don’t stay healthy. Thursday morning, Dr. Addie Licari with St. Luke’s Mount Royal Medical Clinic stopped by FOX 21 Local News to offer tips as parents prepare to get children back…

Several Line 3 oil Pipeline Protesters Detained in Bemidji

Enbrige Says the Replacement Will be Safer

(Garret Ellison | MLive)BEMIDJI, Minn. (AP) – Dozens of opponents of Enbridge Energy’s plan to replace its aging Line 3 crude oil pipeline across northern Minnesota blocked an intersection in downtown Bemidji for nearly four hours as they called on Gov. Mark Dayton to stop the project. Several environmental, tribal and faith activists were briefly detained and ticketed when police…

Ship Mate Captures Incredible Lightning Strike Over Lake Michigan

The Photo was Taken on the Mesabi Miner

photo: Jack Brandenburg DULUTH, Minn. – This incredible photo was taken by mate, Jack Brandenburg of Sturgeon Bay, on the Mesabi Miner ore boat on his cellphone just as lightning struck down near the 1,004-foot long ship. Brandenburg says he captured the shot on his Samsung cell phone using a long exposure. The boat was sailing down Lake Michigan loaded…

Shoreview Natives Works Toward Growing a Greener Community

See the new plant life on 17th and Jefferson Street

DULUTH, Minn.- A community effort to brighten the green areas of the region is growing alongside the plants they placed earlier this year. Fox 21’s Viktoria Capek talks with Shoreview Natives program starter Dan Schutte on the city-wide gardening progress. For more information on Shoreview Natives, click here. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News

$75 Million to Clean Up St. Louis River

EPA and U.S. Steel Decide to Devote Funds and Time to Clearing Sediment

DULUTH,Minn.- Next year a $75 million cleanup project will begin at U.S. Steel’s former Duluth site on the St. Louis river. The EPA and U.S. steel made that announcement today as they reached an agreement on cleaning up and restoring the Spirit Lake site near the Morgan Park neighborhood. U.S. Steel is planning to pay 55 percent of the cost, while…

Local Nursing Program Receives National Honors

The WIC program with St. Louis County was one of 90 programs to get the award.

DULUTH, Min. – A local nursing program is being recognized nationally for its work with new moms. The WIC program with St. Louis County has been awarded the Loving Support Award of Excellence for demonstrating strong breastfeeding promotion and support activities. “It feels great, my colleagues and I love our moms and we want them to enjoy parenting and we want…

East Duluth Construction Concerns

Public Works Holds Meeting About Superior Street Lester Bridge Reconstruction Project

EAST DULUTH, Minn.- St. Louis County Public Works met with members of the East Duluth community, answering, or at least trying to answer, many questions raised regarding the Superior St./Lester Bridge reconstruction. The small room of the Portman Park Community Center populated with residents young and old as a vital issue had to be discussed: the reconstruction of Superior Street by…

Car Slams Into Front Doors Of Perkins Restaurant

DULUTH, Minn. – There were some scary moments Wednesday evening after a vehicle plowed into a Perkins in Duluth. It happened around 5 p.m. at the Perkins on Miller Trunk Highway by the Miller Hill Mall. Duluth police said nobody was injured in the accident, but the building and the driver’s vehicle were heavily damaged. One other car in the…

Piedmont Elementary Holds Open House

The new school year starts on Sept. 4.

DULUTH, Minn. – School is almost back in session for Piedmont Elementary and on Wednesday, students and families got the chance to get back into the school year. Piedmont Elementary held their open house night, allowing families to meet their new teachers, learn their way around the school sign up for lunch programs and more. “it gets us all together and…

Former MTV “Real World” Star Speaks at UMD

Matt Smith gave his "five things they don't tell you about college" talk.

DULUTH, Minn. – A former MTV star stopped by UMD today to speak about college and the real world. Matt Smith shared his “five things they don’t tell you about college”. The talk included how to choose a college major, deal with professors, make the right friends, date and spend free time. Smith hoped he was able to compare his…

Spotlight On the Opioid Epidemic In St. Louis County

In 2016, an average of 116 people died every day in the U.S. from opioid related drug overdoses, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

DULUTH, Minn. – A woman whose son told her I just don’t want to die, but I can’t stop using. Those are some of the personal stories shared during a round table on the opioid epidemic led by St. Louis County Commissioner Pete Stauber. He wanted to bring experts together who can help determine where federal funding could go for…

WITC Off to A New Start for the School Year

Forbes Magazine recently ranked WITC as the 22nd best two–year trade school in the nation.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – It’s the start of the new school year at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC) in Superior. There are also a lot of new programs and changes coming to WITC for students, faculty and staff, starting with the construction for a new front entrance and new pharmacy technician and hospitality specialist programs. These programs are used as a recruiting…

Donate a Bow Tie and Help Students Attend Prom in Style

The non–profit called If the Dress Fits pairs students up with prom dresses, this year they're helping the guys too.

DULUTH, Minn.- A local non–profit organization helps pair ladies up with a free prom dress but this year they need your help to give the guys bow ties. The non–profit called If the Dress Fits started as a prom dress drive and now supplies hundreds of free dresses every year. This time around they’re teaming up with a national non-profit…

Learn How to Spot Invasive Species on the St. Louis River-editing

Do you know how to spot plants and insects that don't belong?

DULUTH, Minn.- Thanks to a free class St. Louis River enthusiasts are learning how to spot invasive species. The Aquatic Invasive Sentry Training Program prepares fishermen and paddlers how to know what plants and insects shouldn’t be on the river. Trainers tell us it’s important to be on the lookout and inform specialists and it’s easy for people frequently out…

New Roundabout Close to Opening in Hermantown

It's that time of year when most drivers are ready to see those orange construction cones disappear.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- After several weeks of construction, a long-awaited roundabout is set to open. It’s that time of year when most drivers are ready to see those orange construction cones disappear and at Maple Grove Road and Midway Road your wish is close to being granted.  The brand new roundabout construction is close to the finish line. This Saturday, drivers will finally…