News – Latest News

Legal Leaders Take the Stage for Law Law Palooza

Fundraiser Supports Volunteer Attorney Program

DULUTH, Minn. – Local leaders found enforcing the law and fighting for justice during the day are letting their hair down for some fun. It’s the 6th Annual Law Law Palooza event at the Duluth Depot on Friday, April 20. The event supports the Volunteer Attorney Program. The event features musical performances by local judges, attorneys and justice partners, as…

Trump Admin Starts Plan to Drill in Arctic Wildlife Refuge

A Longtime Republican Priority that Most Democrats Fiercely Oppose

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration is moving toward oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A notice being published Friday in the Federal Register starts a 60-day review to sell oil and gas leases in the remote region. Opening the refuge to oil and gas drilling is a longtime Republican priority that most Democrats fiercely oppose….

One Injured in Virginia Drive-by Shooting

The Virginia Police Department is Asking for the Public’s Assistance

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Saturday evening the Virginia Police Department responded to Essentia Health in Virginia where an adult male presented for a gunshot wound to his lower leg. The male told investigators that he was shot at from a car driving by while he was walking on 2nd Avenue South. The incident took place around 8:45 p.m. Saturday evening. Authorities…

Prince’s Doctor Fined for Illegal Prescription

A News Conference Will be Held Today to see if Criminal Charges Will be Filed

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A Minnesota doctor accused of illegally prescribing an opioid for Prince a week before the musician died has agreed to pay $30,000 to settle a federal civil claim. The settlement comes as state prosecutors are planning to announce whether anyone will be charged in the two-year investigation into Prince’s death. Prince died on April 21, 2016, from an…

Wisconsin Unemployment Remains at Record-low 2.9 Percent

There Were Nearly Three Million People Working in the State in March

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin’s unemployment rate remains at a record-low 2.9 percent for a second month. The state Department of Workforce Development reported Thursday that the rate for March remains unchanged from the 2.9 percent in February. That was its lowest level since July 1999. The report shows the state added 8,900 private sector jobs between February and March….

Diaz-Canel Replaces Raul Castro as Cuba’s President

The Government is in the Hands of Someone Outside the Castro Family for the First Time in Nearly six Decades

(Irene Perez/Cubadebate via AP)HAVANA (AP) – President Mario Diaz-Canel has made his first speech as Cuba’s new head of state with a pledge to continue the socialist revolution led by his predecessors Fidel and Raul Castro. Diaz-Canel says in the nationally televised speech before the National Assembly that his first thoughts upon taking office are for the “historic generation” that…

Old Carnegie Library To Become Co-Working Space

The Carnegie Library will be Superior's first co-working space.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Plans for the first co-working space in the city of Superior are moving along inside the old Carnegie Library. The Carnegie Library located on Hammond Avenue has been vacant since 1993. On Wednesday, locals filled the old library to see the vision for the future work space. Co-working spaces are becoming more popular. An architect based out of…

Governor Dayton Celebrates UMD Bulldog Day at Statehouse

Wednesday is "UMD Men's Hockey National Championship Day"

The UMD Bulldogs National Championship win put the school and Duluth on the map, and now even Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton is giving them their own day. Governor Dayton a former division one hockey player for Yale, revealing at Wednesday’s press conference that the semi-final round of the Frozen Four kept him on the edge of his seat. He officially…

Northland Fishing Season Update

Duluth is one place ready to prove that a little ice won't get in the way and stop people from fishing.

DULUTH, Minn. – The fishing opener in Minnesota is May 12. A day many have been planning for to kick off their summer fishing season. But with Minnesota lakes still filled with ice, getting those boats out could be tough. But one shop in Duluth is showing us how it’s not too late to get a head start and is gearing…

Snow Puts Off Lawn Prep

how the late snow storms are affecting local landscape businesses

DULUTH, Minn.- The snow is finally melting away, allowing landscape businesses to make a profit after a rough winter. We spoke with the owner of Denny’s Lawn and Garden in Duluth, he said snow came way too late this season, causing sales to decline. Now his fear is that people won’t bother coming in until next fall. “It’s real slow…

Kids Read to Dog

Kids are able to read to a dog to practice reading aloud without any pressure

DULUTH, Minn.- Children are learning to read aloud with a little help from a k9 named Tanzy. Tanzy and her owner, Carol, visit the West Duluth Public Library giving children who are just learning how to a read practice without any fear of being judged. “As much as parents and teachers and we all love the kids it can get…

Younkers Closing

Bon-ton stores officially headed to liquidation

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Its official, Bon–Ton stores is headed to liquidation, wiping out more than 200 stores nation wide, including the Younkers in Superior and Duluth. The department store chain originally only planned to close forty of its stores, but failure to compete with online retailers like amazon forced the company into debt and to file for bankrupcy. We’ve seen this happen before, major stores…

Feminist Action Collective Takes a Walking Tour of Duluth Lynching Sites

Tour Was a Fundraiser to Send Duluth Representatives to the National Lynching Memorial

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s Feminist Action Collective took a walking tour of the 1920 lynching of three black men in Duluth. The tour began at the old police station on East Superior Street and ended at the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial on East First Street. The tour is given to about thirty groups every year to help put the lynching…

Meteorologist Talks Weather with Future Scientists

FOX 21's William Seay spoke with second graders at Wrenshall Elementary School.

DULUTH, Minn.- Our very own William Seay informed our future scientists what it’s like as a meteorologist. William spoke with second graders at Wrenshall Elementary School. Students are currently learning about weather in class. Their teacher says hearing from an expert gives students a better perspective. Weather is taught in the spring because here in the Northland, you never know…

Nanny Convicted of Killing Kids Wipes Away Tears

The 55-year-old Faces Life in Prison

(WYNY-TV/Pool Photo via AP, File) NEW YORK (AP) – A nanny convicted of stabbing two children to death at their New York home while their parents were away cried while being led out of a courtroom. Yoselyn Ortega bludgeoned 6-year-old Lucia Krim and 2-year-old Leo Krim in October 2012 while their mother was taking a sibling to a swimming lesson…

Phifer Exits Race for 8th Congressional District

Phifer Says she Will not Endorse a Candidate at This Time

ISANTI, Minn. – Leah Phifer has decided to not move her candidacy forward into a DFL primary election. Phifer announced today, “My goal, since first declaring my candidacy in October 2017, has always been to win the DFL endorsement, bring new voices to the table and strengthen the party. A divisive primary season would only serve to weaken the party…

Largest Maker of Bump Stocks Will Stop Accepting Orders

The Announcement Comes About a Month After President Donald Trump Said his Administration Would “ban” Bump Stocks

(AP Photo/Allen G. Breed, File)LOS ANGELES (AP) — The largest manufacturer of bump stocks, which allow semi-automatic weapons to fire rapidly like automatic firearms, announced Wednesday that it will stop taking orders and shut down its website next month. The announcement comes about a month after President Donald Trump said his administration would “ban” bump stocks, which he said “turn…

Sandy Hook Families File Suit Against Infowars’ Alex Jones

Jones Believes the Lawsuits Will be Thrown out

YoutubeHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – The families of two children slain in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre have filed lawsuits against right-wing radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones for claiming the shooting did not happen. The defamation lawsuits were filed in Texas. That’s the home state of Jones’ media company, Infowars. Neil Heslin, the father of Jesse Lewis, and…

Possible Criminal Charges in Prince Death

Prosecutors Will Announce Tomorrow Possible Criminal Charges

(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, File)MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota prosecutors are planning an announcement in their two-year investigation into Prince’s death from an accidental fentanyl overdose. Carver County Attorney Mark Metz was scheduled to announce a charging decision at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, including whether anyone would be charged. Prince was 57 when he was found alone and unresponsive in an elevator at…

Bon-Ton Will Close all Stores

Liquidators Take the Winning bid at Auction

DULUTH, Minn. – Bon-Ton Stores Inc. is officially closing its stores across the country. Liquidators took the winning bid at Tuesday night’s auction and a hearing by the Bankrupcty Court to approve the sale is expected today. In a release President and Chief Executive Office, Bill Tracy said, “While we are disappointed by this outcome and tried very hard to…

Sammy’s Pizza Celebrates 64 Years with Discount and Donation

DULUTH, Minn. – Today, Sammy’s Pizza will be selling pies for a good cause. Celebrating 64 years, Sammy’s Pizza is looking to give back to the community. When customers who purchase any 14′” or larger pizza can buy a 12′” one-topping pizza for only 64 cents. On April 19, in honor of those who have served in the armed forces,…

Minnesota man Acquitted of Murder Charge in Death of UW Stout Student

Convicted of Battery in the Death of Student From Saudi Arabia

MENOMONIE, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin jury has convicted a Minneapolis man of battery in the death of a student from Saudi Arabia but acquitted him on a more serious murder charge. Cullen M. Osburn awaits sentencing July 13 for a potential maximum of eight years in the death of Hussain Saeed Alnahdi, a junior majoring in business administration at…

Superior Middle School Hosts Third Annual Career Fair

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s never too early to start thinking about the future. That’s why Superior Middle School is introducing its students to the working world. The third annual eighth grade career fair took place Tuesday afternoon at Superior Middle School to help students get a feel for what they like and what they don’t like. “We tell them whether…

Tax Day Gets Extended due to IRS Website Error

DULUTH, Minn. – Tax filers have been given one extra day to file thanks to a glitch with the IRS website. People were not able to file online Tuesday morning and afternoon, but the IRS website is now back up and running. Apparently the problem was related to the “transmission” of tax returns from software providers like H&R Block and…

Dick’s Destroying all the Guns it Pulled From its Shelves

The Guns Will be Destroyed Instead of Returned to Their Manufacturers

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Dick’s Sporting Goods is destroying all the guns and accessories that it stopped selling earlier this year after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. The retailer said Tuesday that it is in the process of destroying all the firearms it pulled from its shelves, rather than trying to return them to their manufacturers. Dicks made headlines in…

CASDA Officially Launches Pet Foster Program

Donations and Foster Families Needed as Program Launches, Gains Popularity

DULUTH, Minn. – On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by a partner in the United States, according to the National Center Against Domestic Violence. Officials say it can be difficult to escape an abuser, especially when animals are involved. However, a new program at The Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse (CASDA) in Superior is looking…

Blown Southwest jet Engine Showed ‘Metal Fatigue’

The National Transportation Safety Board Sent a Team of Investigators to Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A preliminary examination of the blown jet engine of the Southwest Airlines plane that set off a terrifying chain of events and left a businesswoman hanging half outside a shattered window showed evidence of “metal fatigue,” according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Passengers scrambled to save the woman from getting sucked out the window that had…

Arrowhead Fly Fishers Club Teaches Casting at Monthly Meetings

Despite Cold Weather, Hearty Fly Fishers Are Out in Northland Rivers

DULUTH, Minn. – Despite the cold spring, some fly fishing has been happening out on the Brule River in Wisconsin and up the North Shore. The Arrowhead Fly Fishers have meetings every month where they teach people new to the sport how to cast. They welcome everyone at their events to learn more about fishing in the Northland. “For me,…

Duluth East Daredevils Raise Money for Trip to World Championships

Team Hopes to Raise About $30,000 to Compete at Worlds Next Week in Detroit

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth East Daredevils robotics team is competing in the world championships next week in Detroit. The team held an annual fundraiser to raise money for lodging, food, and travel costs associated with their trip. They hope to raise about $30,000 from today’s pasta dinner, bake sale, silent auction, and robotics demonstrations to fund their chance at…

Junior League of Duluth Awards More than $13,000 to Local Non-Profits

Damiano Center, Duluth Community Garden Program, First Witness, Life House, Girl Scouts, and the Great Lakes Aquarium Received Grants

DULUTH, Minn. – The Junior League of Duluth awarded more than $13,000 to local non-profits. The organization of women donated money every April to help improve the community. Six different non-profits were granted a total of $13,340 at Tuesday’s Junior League meeting. The money is expected to go a long way in helping those organizations complete their missions. The Damiano…

College Campus Sparks Conversation for Sexual Assault Awareness

Nearly 500 universities across the U.S. are taking part in the It's On Us campaign.

DULUTH, Minn.- Students at St. Scholastica are joining in on a national movement to end sexual assault on campus. April is sexual assault awareness month and the saints are joining the It’s On Us campaign to address on-campus issues. The It’s On Us movement started back in 2014. Now nearly 500 campuses across the nation are involved. On Tuesday St….

Weekend Storm Outcome

Local businesses both struggled and benefited from the storm

DULUTH, Minn. -It may have been stormy this weekend but it is finally starting to warm up a bit. The snow is quickly turning to slush and the grass is visible once again! I spoke with some business owners in the area about the impact of the storm, they said was great economically, but not so great for the physical properties….

Barbara Bush, former first lady, dead at 92

With her cloud of snow-white hair, signature three strand pearls and compelling presence, Barbara Bush’s image was what she laughingly called “everybody’s grandmother.” But the feisty, outspoken Bush was also a tireless advocate for literacy , an author, experienced campaigner and both wife and mother of a U.S. president. Bush, 92, died Tuesday, shortly after her family announced she was…

Eight Ball Classic Coming Back to Duluth

Top Tier Pool Returns to The Break Room

DULUTH, Minn.- Presented by Dennis “Hatchetman” Hatch, The Break Room Duluth, and On The Wire Creative Media. 3RD ANNUAL EIGHTBALL CLASSIC! $5,000 Added (Based on full field). $1,000 entry. Race to 15. Take what you make. Modified BCA rules. Winner breaks. Professional dress code. Meet & greet 4pm – 5pm Friday. Players dinner at 5pm Friday. Calcutta starts Friday @ 6pm….

UMD Narrows Search for Head Men’s Basketball Coach

The Bulldogs Top Job is Down to Four Finalists

DULUTH, Minn.-  After parting ways with previous men’s basketball coach Matt Bowen, UMD has now narrowed their list of candidates own to four finalists. All of the ‘Dogs potential coaches will be on campus this week for interviews. Current UMD Assistant Coach Matt Hockett is one of UMD’s finalists, a former bulldog baller himself, Hockett has coached as an assistant…

Handcrafted Bowls Raise Thousands of Dollars for Local Food Bank

This is the 25th annual Empty Bowls Event.

DULUTH, Minn.- The 25th annual Empty Bowl Fundraiser took over the depot Tuesday in downtown Duluth. Hundreds of handcrafted bowls are on display and sold to the public to help raise funds for the Second Harvest Food Bank. Nearly $60,000 are raised through the Empty Bowls event. Artists and students have been crafting pottery all year long for this fundraiser. “I…

Inmate Escapes Custody in Milwaukee

Stephenson Escaped While Being Transported

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. – The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, Milwaukee Police Department and the Department of Corrections are searching for an escaped DOC Offender Anthony Stephenson. Stephenson escaped from the DOC Custody while being transported. Anthony is a 23-year-old black male weighing 155 pounds and standing 5’8. He has brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of…

Students Create Customizable Shin Guards

The product is made using a 3D printer.

DULUTH, Minn.- A group of student-athletes are creating a product they say isn’t available in the current market. At St. Scholastica students are creating shin guards by using a 3D printer. A group of four soccer players are making fully customizable shin guards. The students say this is the only product like it on the market and they can be made in nearly…

Starbucks to Close Stores for an Afternoon for Bias Training

Starbucks Also Said the Employee who Called the Police no Longer Works at the Store

NEW YORK (AP) – Starbucks plans to close more than 8,000 stores for several hours next month to conduct racial-bias training for nearly 175,000 workers. The announcement Tuesday comes after the arrests sparked protects and calls for a boycott on social media. Philadelphia police released a recording of the call from the Starbucks employee that led to the arrests. In…

Nostalgia Hasn’t Translated Into Dollars in Toys R Us Effort

The Liquidation of Toys R Us Threatens More than 30,000 Jobs

(AP Photo/Christine Cotter, File)NEW YORK (AP) — Nostalgia hasn’t translated into dollars in a long-shot effort to crowdfund a future for Toys R Us. Neither did efforts to recruit other toy makers. A campaign led by a billionaire toy executive who pledged $200 million with other investors in hopes of saving part of the bankrupt chain has foundered, with only…

Dayton Appoints Democratic Rep. Thissen to Supreme Court

Thissen Replaces Justice David Stras

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Mark Dayton has appointed Democratic state Rep. Paul Thissen to the Minnesota Supreme Court. Tuesday’s announcement means Dayton has appointed five of the high court’s seven members. Thissen replaces Justice David Stras, a Republican judge who was confirmed to the federal bench earlier this year. Thissen will hop from one branch of government to…

Assistance Needed to Identify Robbery Suspects

The Duluth Police Department is Asking for the Public's Help

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying two robbery suspects. The robbery occurred Saturday evening around 6 p.m. near 6th Avenue East and 3rd Street. The victim suffered minor scrapes and no weapons were used in the attack according to authorities. If you have any information please contact Investigator M. Tinsley at…

One Person Dead After Southwest Emergency Landing

The Southwest jet jad a Damaged Engine and a Broken Window Upon Landing

FacebookPHILADELPHIA (AP) -A federal investigator says one person has been killed after a plane with engine failure made an emergency landing in Philadelphia. National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Robert Sumwalt said Tuesday that the engine will be shipped for a detailed examination. The Federal Aviation Administration says the flight from New York to Dallas made an emergency landing after the…

Liquidators Make Bids for Bon-Ton

Bon-Ton Continues day two of Auction

(Jack Hanrahan/Erie Times-News via AP)DULUTH, Minn. – On Monday Bon-Ton Stores Inc. only received bids from liquidators during its bankruptcy auction according to Reuters, signaling the possibility of closure for the retail giant. The auction will continue through today with hopes of finding a buyer that can help turn the retail chains around. When the auction is complete the next…

IRS “Direct Pay” Option Down on Tax Day

End of day Today is the Deadline for any Taxes Owed

DULUTH, Minn. – The IRS online payment option is not working for many taxpayers needing to make a payment on Tax Day. As of this morning the IRS direct pay website is showing a “this service is currently unavailable” error message when customers try to look up or make a payment. The outage is causing frustration across the board as…

Suspect in Custody After “Mass Homicide” Threat in Cloquet

No Weapons Were Located With the Suspect

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Cloquet Police Department have taken an 18-year-old male into custody after he allegedly made threats of a “mass homicide” on social media. Authorities received multiple reports last night that an individual made violent threats on social media but did not list any specific locations other than Cloquet. The suspect was identified and located in a home…

Foster Mother, Boyfriend Charged in Toddler’s Death

Thirty-one-year-old Zeporia Fortenberry is Charged with Second-Degree Manslaughter

HASTINGS, Minn. (AP) – A foster mother and her boyfriend have been charged in Dakota County with manslaughter and murder in the death of a 3-year-old boy who was in the woman’s care. Authorities say Zayden Lawson was fatally beaten last June. Thirty-one-year-old Zeporia Fortenberry is charged with second-degree manslaughter. A criminal complaint says Fortenberry knew her boyfriend, 27-year-old Charles…

UMD Opera Studio, Symphony Students Team up for Performance

Le Nozze di Figaro Performances Start April 27

DULUTH, Minn. – This month it’s a dramatic event you won’t want to miss, the UMD Opera Studio is teaming up with the UMD Symphony Orchestra. Together, they’re performing Le Nozze di Figaro ( The Marriage of Figaro) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The first performance is Friday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. The second performance will be Sunday, April 29…