News – Latest News

Rural Minnesota Struggling With Day Care Shortage

Small in-home day cares are closing at a rapid rate.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Research shows that rural Minnesota is seeing a shortage of day care options. Minnesota Public Radio reports that the Center for Rural Policy and Development found the northern and central parts of the state are particularly affected. The research estimates that roughly 2,500 children in the northwestern part of the state can’t get the day…

Taste at Fitger’s Fights Hunger in the Northland

Coffee Conversation: Taste at Fitger's

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend Northlanders can sample some good food and wine while supporting the local food bank. In this week’s Coffee Conversation, FOX 21 sat down with Fitger’s Mall Manager Tami Tanski Sherman to chat about the 24th Annual Taste at Fitger’s. The event is taking place Friday, March 30 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the Fitger’s…

New car Prices Climbing

Auto dealers believe new car prices are climbing too high.

DULUTH, Minn. – Auto dealers believe new car prices may be climbing a bit too high. Experts say tighter credit, higher interest rates and metal tariffs are all working to push up new car prices. The reported price of a new car to date through February is about $32,000, according to JD Power. That figure is up about $500 from…

Unemployment Rates Remain Stable

Bureau of Labor Statistics releases unemployment report.

DULUTH, Minn. – A new report released Friday from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows unemployment rates were lower in February in seven states and stable in 43 states. The report shows the national unemployment rate was unchanged and remains at 4.1 percent. Wisconsin was one of the seven states with a slight decrease in unemployment. The rate there now…

Wisconsin’s Annual Billiards Tournament

Pro's Came From Near and Far To Win Big Money This Weekend

  BRULE, Wis. — An annual billiards tournament took place in the Northland this weekend! Pool shooters from across the region, out of state and out of country came here to compete! 64 of the best competitors showed off their skills and a few went home with some big money! It was held Sunday afternoon at Kro Bar & Grill…

North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity Has Big Day on Iron Range

The organization hosted a home dedication and a ground breaking ceremony in one day

IRON RANGE, Minn. – For many families, finding safe and affordable housing can be quite the challenge. Organizations like North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity work to help families who are in need of such housing. On Sunday, that non–profit held a home dedication or the Brooks family in Mountain Iron. The soon–to–be family-of-five is looking forward to starting a…

Jack Link’s Aquatic and Activity Center Opens in Minong

Long Awaited Community Center Has a Pool, Fitness Center, and Gymnasium

MINONG, Wis. – The long-awaited Jack Link’s Aquatic and Activity Center is now open. After more than a year of construction and anticipation, the center opened its doors to the public this weekend. So far, guests have been streaming in, taking tours, and signing up for memberships. “This morning at nine o’clock when I came in to open the doors,…

8th Congressional District Candidates Share the Stage

The College of St. Scholastica Hosted the Fourm Featuring All Seven Candidates

DULUTH, Minn. – For the first time, all seven candidates for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional seat hit the stage for a public forum. The event was held at the College of St. Scholastica and by the student senate there. The forum consisted of pre-written questions followed by questions from the audience. “Often times, you never know what a candidate really stands…

50th Annual Motorhead Madness Car Show Kicks Off

The car show is a fun event for the whole family

DULUTH, Minn. – The Arrowhead Auto Body Motorhead Madness car show is back it’s fiftieth year, and kicked off on Saturday. More than a hundred–fifty one of a kind cars and trucks fill the space. Families can enjoy all kinds of activities, from watching some remote–controlled car races, to building their own model cars. “teaches the kids to think and get…

Hundreds Turn Out for March for Our Lives Demonstration in Duluth

Student organizers held the march to call on lawmakers to commit to gun law reform

DULUTH, Minn.  As demonstrations take place across the United States and abroad, students in Duluth organized their own rally, that marched from the Old Central High School building to the steps of Duluth City Hall. Categories: Community, Education, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Video

Folks Try Out Craft Brews at the Brewski Beer Tasting at Spirit Mountain

Ten breweries attended the tasting event

DULUTH, Minn. – Even though Spring is mostly here, there’s still opportunities to ski and snowboard at Spirit Mountain in Duluth. On Saturday, the resort teamed up with craft breweries from across the country to offer their Brewski beer tasting event. Guests could drink a few cold ones, make a run down the mountain, and try out a few more. “It’s…

50th Annual Motorhead Madness Rolls Into the DECC

It's the place to be for Northland car fans.

DULUTH, Minn. – Car people get ready, it’s the 50th Annual Arrowhead Auto Body Motorhead Madness car show this weekend. More than 125 cars, trucks, race cars, and hot rods are lining the halls of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) over the weekend. It’s the place to be for Northland car fans. “It’s very family–oriented. we’d love to have…

Local horror movie starring young Duluth boy premieres

After young Dexter Ojeda was diagnoses with terminal cancer, his dream of starring in a horror movie became a reality

DULUTH, Minn. – After being diagnosed with terminal cancer at ten years old, Dexter Ojeda made a list of things he wanted to do in life. One of those things was to act in a horror film and that goal has now become a reality for the 11-year-old. The film “Bring Them to Me” is finished, and the team behind the…

Backyard Ski Championships of America kicks off on Saturday

It's the sixth year for the make-shift backyard ski races.

DULUTH, Minn. – While the Nordic ski season is basically over, some ski friends are not yet ready to hang it up for the year. A group of college roommates and friends are hosting the 2018 Backyard Ski Championships right in their back yard. Hundreds of spectators and skiers are expected to show up to hang out, do some racing, and…

Volunteers Needed to Help Preserve Veterans’ Stories

Volunteers will conduct one-on-one interviews recording a veteran's history.

DULUTH, Minn.- Veterans in Duluth are willing to share their stories and volunteers are needed to listen. The St. Louis County Historical Society is asking for good listeners to conduct oral history interviews with veterans from all military branches. Volunteers will be partnered up with a veteran for a one–on–one listening session. One veteran says many can be hesitant to…

Counselors Warn March is a Dangerous Month for Gambling

Gambling is often a silent addiction.

DULUTH, Minn.- With March Madness going on it’s a big month for gambling. Counselors say offering someone a five dollar bet seems harmless, but it can be devastating for some. March is Gambling Awareness Month. Counselors say many things can be considered gambling. Free help is offered in Duluth. The Center for Drug and Alcohol Treatment holds meetings and pairs up with…

GOP Calls Lawmakers Back to Revise Election law

A Madison judge ruled Thursday that Walker must order the elections by March 29.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Republicans who control the state Legislature are officially calling themselves back into session to revise Wisconsin’s special election statutes. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald issued a joint statement Friday saying they were calling both houses back. Former Republican Sen. Frank Lasee and former Republican Rep. Keith Ripp both joined Walker’s administration…

Protesters Gather in Washington, Demanding gun Control

Demonstrators across the country will be assembling tomorrow to support March for our Lives.

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)WASHINGTON (AP) – Thousands of protesters are gathering in Washington for what organizers hope will be a massive rally in support of stronger gun-control legislation. The demonstrators will assemble Saturday for a several-hour rally near the U.S. Capitol building that they predict will draw a half million people – many of them high school students. In the…

No Signs of Violence in Deaths of Iowa Family

Autopsy reports are still pending.

CRESTON, Iowa (AP) – Authorities in Mexico say they found no signs of violence when they discovered the bodies of an Iowa couple and their two children in a rented condo in the Yucatan Peninsula. The Quintana Roo state prosecutor’s office wrote in a tweet Friday that four bodies had been found in a tourist compound in Tulum. The office…

Missing Elderly Couple Found Dead in Vehicle

They were last seen Wednesday morning.

(Courtesy of KMSP)PAYNESVILLE, Minn. (AP) – Authorities say an elderly couple from central Minnesota reported missing along with a man who lived with them has been found dead in their vehicle. Stearns County sheriff’s officials say 93-year-old Wilbert Scheel and his 80-year-old wife, Gloria Scheel, were found dead in their Prius about 5 p.m. Thursday in Kandiyohi County. Officials say…

Stocks Swoon Again; Dow Sinks 400

Wall Street has its worst week in two years.

(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File) NEW YORK (AP) – Stocks sank again, giving Wall Street its worst week in two years, as fear gripped investors that China and the U.S. were headed for a trade war. The Dow Jones industrial average plunged more than 400 points, bringing its weekly decline to 1,400. Technology companies and banks sustained some of the biggest…

Minneapolis Releases Draft of 20-Year Plan for City

A new proposed plan aims to make Minneapolis taller, greener and more equitable.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A new proposed plan aims to make Minneapolis taller, greener and more equitable. Minnesota Public Radio reports that officials released the first draft of the Minneapolis 2040 plan Thursday. It has policy recommendations about housing, transportation, economic development, public health, the arts and the environment. Created by the city’s Community Planning and Economic Development department, the plan…

The Duluth Experience Offers Ice Kayaking Tour

Active Adventures: Ice Kayaking

DULUTH, Minn. – True signs of Spring, the snow is slowly melting and this ice is thawing as ships begin moving in and out of the harbor. For this week’s Active Adventures, the FOX 21 morning crew took advantage of the slightly warmer weather to get outside. The Duluth Experience team is giving ice kayaking tours beginning in April and…

Two Bodies Recovered in Lower Red Lake

The two men went missing in November.

RED LAKE, Minn. (AP) – The bodies of two fishermen missing in northern Minnesota since November have been recovered. Red Lake Police say the body of a 17-year-old boy was found in Lower Red Lake Wednesday. Searchers found the body of 29-year-old Deland Beaulieu on Thursday morning about 150 feet from where the boy’s body was recovered. Beaulieu and the…

AP-NORC Poll: Support Soars for Stricter gun Control Laws

Nearly 6 in 10 favor a nationwide ban on AR-15-style rifles.

NEW YORK (AP) — Support for tougher gun control laws is soaring in the United States, according to a new poll that found a majority of gun owners and half of Republicans favor new laws to address gun violence in the weeks after a Florida school shooting left 17 dead and sparked nationwide protests. The poll, conducted by The Associated…

UN Report: Loss of Plants, Animals Making a Lonelier Planet

They report Friday that nowhere is doing well.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Earth is losing plants, animals and clean water at a dramatic rate, according to four new United Nations scientific reports on biodiversity. Scientists meeting in Colombia issued four regional reports Friday on how well animal and plants are doing in the Americas; Europe and Central Asia; Africa; and the Asia-Pacific area. Their conclusion after three years of…

Justice Dept. Charges Nine Iranians in Massive Hacking Scheme

The Justice Department on Friday announced charges against 9 Iranians in a government-sponsored hacking scheme.

(Courtesy of CNN)WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department on Friday announced charges against 9 Iranians in a government-sponsored hacking scheme that pilfered sensitive information from hundreds of universities, private companies and government agencies. The Iranian defendants are accused of working at the behest of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to steal large quantities of academic data from hundreds of universities…

Officials Stress dog Control

Seven-year-old Cloquet boy bit while playing outside

CLOQUET, Minn. – Animal Control is warning dog owners to leash dogs while enjoying the warmer weather. The warnings come after a boy was bitten in Cloquet while playing outside. According to the Cloquet Police Department a seven year old boy was bit Wednesday by a bullmastiff and suffered a significant laceration on his leg. According to Duluth Police in…

Trump’s Plan to Remove McMaster Wasn’t True – Until it was

Bolton replacing McMaster as Trump national security adviser

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump says he will replace national security adviser H.R. McMaster with the former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, a foreign policy hawk entering a White House facing key decisions on Iran and North Korea. “Just spoke to @POTUS and Gen. H.R. McMaster — contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there…

House Freedom Caucus Cheers Veto Idea

It says the bill does not have enough money for the border wall, leaves intact President Barack Obama’s health care law and funds Planned Parenthood.

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)WASHINGTON (AP) – President Trump says he is “considering” a veto of a giant $1.3 trillion spending bill, citing concerns over “Dreamers” and border wall funding. Trump says on Twitter Friday morning: “I am considering a VETO of the Omnibus Spending Bill based on the fact that the 800,000 plus DACA recipients have been totally abandoned by…

The Latest: Police Storm French Market, Suspect Killed

Police official also said the suspect was killed.

(Newsflare/Tarbouriech Roseline via AP)PARIS (AP) – A police union official says officers have stormed the French supermarket where a suspect allegedly took hostages and shot people before being killed by police himself. Yves Lefebvre, secretary general of SGP Police-FO police union, said he didn’t have immediate details on the number of victims from Friday’s incident in the town of Trebes….

Life Support to end for ‘Brain Dead’ School Shooting Victim

The teen was shot Tuesday by 17-year-old Austin Rollins at Great Mills High School in St. Mary’s County.

(Courtesy of the Willey family via AP)(AP) – A teenage girl was brain dead days after being shot when a classmate opened fire inside their Maryland high school and was to be removed from life support, her mother said Thursday. Melissa Willey told news reporters Thursday night that her daughter, 16-year-old Jaelynn Willey had “no life left in her.” She…

Maple Syrup Season Begins

Maple Syrup Season Goes From March to April

DULUTH, Minn.-With the spring thaw in full bloom, that means it’s time to start tapping those maple trees. One local farmer from Hoffbauer Farm said he started a few weeks ago, once the ground started to thaw. He said the general time of the year to do it is from March to April to get that syrup flowing. He also…

Glensheen Gardens Still Blooming

Several events happen at the formal garden such as weddings.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Glensheen Mansion in Duluth sits on 22 acres and seven of those acres are gardens. As the weather changes so does the workload to maintain them. Forty-six gardens are on the property including 10 vegetable gardens. Emily Ford is in her second season as Glensheen’s gardener. The job may sound overwhelming but she says she is…

Duluth Armory Receives $250k Grant For Improvements

The Duluth Armory received a $250,000 legacy grant from the Minnesota Historical Society.

DULUTH, Minn. – Hard work is underway, so that the historic Duluth Armory can once again open its doors for its new chapter of life. But that work is getting easier with a big boost in funding from the Minnesota Historical Society. Before the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) came along the place to be for top entertainment was the Duluth Armory and soon the historic building along London Road will be like new again. The legacy…

Improving Health in Native American and Rural Communities

Officials say the next step is determining what resources match the community's needs.

DULUTH, Minn.- The School of Medicine at the University of Minnesota Duluth is discussing populations with health disparities. Experts on campus are addressing how native american and rural communities could receive better medical attention. Officials say it’s a combined community and medical effort. “We engage in a process of which we get to know each other,” Memory Keepers Medical executive…

Duluth Depot Seeking Bond for Building Upkeep

The Depot is asking for a $4 million inclusion in the upcoming bonding bill.

DULUTH, Minn.- St. Louis county is hoping to preserve the Duluth Depot with help from the state. The Depot is asking for a $4 million inclusion in the upcoming bonding bill. Officials say citizens won’t visibly notice improvements. The projects in place will prevent noticeable damage before they occur. Officials say the proposal for preventable maintenance will keep the building running…

Globtrotters Rally Against Bullying in Northland

Globetrotter Visited Lakeview Christian Academy Today

DULUTH, Minn.-The Harlem Globetrotters are hitting the hardwood next Thursday at Amsoil Arena to entertain Northlander’s, but today some of them stopped by a local school to teach them all about bullying prevention. Students learned about what it’s like to overcome adversity with much of the presentation focusing on how many people actually deal with bullying. Staff at the school…

Approval Passes to Remove Section of Enbridge Line 3

This comes after nearly 8 months of negotiation with the city of Grand Rapids.

DULUTH, Minn.- Enbridge will be removing part of Line 3 expired pipeline in Grand Rapids. The city approved the removal on Wednesday. After eight months of negotiations, 1,000 feet of Line 3 in the Wellhead Protection Area will be removed by 2019. Grand Rapids Public Utilities officials say the line is hindering future economic development. Officials say removal will not disrupt…

Toys R Us Founder Dies Days After Chain’s Announced Shutdown

Toys R Us confirmed Lazarus’ death in a statement.

(AP Photo, File)NEW YORK (AP) — Charles P. Lazarus, the World War II veteran who founded Toys R Us six decades ago and transformed it into an iconic piece of Americana, died Thursday at age 94, a week after the chain announced it was going out of business. Toys R Us confirmed Lazarus’ death in a statement. “There have been…

US to Sell $1 Billion in Arms to Saudi Arabia

Lawmakers will have 30 days to act if they want to try to stop it.

(AP Photo/Cliff Owen)WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration is signing off on selling more than $1 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits the United States. The State Department says the administration told Congress on Thursday that it plans to approve the sale. Lawmakers will have 30 days to act if they want to…

Minnesota Teen Driver Taking Test Crashes Into Exam Station

Teenager taking her driving test crashed into the examination station

BUFFALO, Minn. (AP) – Police say a teenage driver in Minnesota trying to get her license crashed into the examination station. Authorities say the 17-year-old girl inadvertently put the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox in drive instead of reverse at the start of the test Wednesday in Buffalo, Minnesota. When the girl stepped on the accelerator, the car lurched forward, jumped the…

Trade Worries Send Stock Market Plunging

The latest on developments in financial markets.

(AP Photo/Richard Drew)NEW YORK (AP) – Stocks plunged, sending the Dow Jones industrials down more than 700 points, as investors feared that trade tensions will spike between the U.S. and China. The Trump administration announced trade sanctions against China Thursday, and Beijing has said it will defend itself. Industrial and technology companies, which depend heavily on foreign trade, took some…

Trump: Take my Advice, Don’t run for President

He added that he used to get great publicity before he ran for president.

(AP) WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has a little advice for entrepreneurs of the future: Don’t run for president. Trump addressed young people Thursday at a White House event called “Generation Next.” During a question and answer session with conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Trump was asked to offer guidance to a young version of himself. “Don’t run for president,”…

Thompson Gas Acquires North Shore Oil and Propane

The acquisition was announced earlier today.

DULUTH, Minn. – Thompson Gas announced today that they have acquired North Shore Oil and Propane. Thompson Gas is headquartered in Frederick Maryland. “Wade Leblanc built a company with strong values and a commitment to customer service,” said Derek Ashmore, Regional Vice President of ThompsonGas. “The opportunity to carry on his legacy with North Shore Oil & Propane is truly…

Aldi’s Coming to Cloquet

They hope to break ground in late spring.

CLOQUET, Minn. – The City Council has approved the site plan application for an Aldi’s in Cloquet. They hope to break ground in later spring and open their doors by the end of 2018. The new Aldi’s will be located just west of the Perkins in Cloquet. Categories: News, News – Latest News

Harlem Globetrotter Visits FOX 21 While Promoting Bullying Prevention, World Tour

2018 “Amazing Feats of Basketball World Tour” Stops in Duluth Next Week

DULUTH, Minn. – Harlem Globetrotters are known for their amazing talents on the basketball court, but also for the work they do with children. The team will be bringing their tricks to Amsoil Arena on Thursday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. The players will show off on the court in the “2018 Amazing Feats of Basketball World Tour” while taking…