News – Latest News

Mixing up the Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Appetizer

Cooking Connection: Leprechaun Dip

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, so for this week’s Cooking Connection we made an appropriate dish for the holiday. Local chef Arlene Coco was in the kitchen with FOX 21’s William Seay to make Leprechaun Dip Coco has three decades of experience, is a professional cooking instructor and gives cooking classes to groups of…

Trump Wrongly Insists US has Trade Deficit With Canada

The Office of the United States Trade Representative says the United States has a trade surplus with Canada.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump continues to insist the United States has a trade deficit with Canada, following news reports that he claimed at a fundraiser about talking trade with the country’s prime minister without knowing all the facts. Trump says on Twitter Thursday: “We do have a Trade Deficit with Canada, as we do with almost…

Spots Still Open for St. Fennessy 4K

This is the first year the race is offering special youth pricing.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- The Saint Fennessy 4K race is coming up on St. Patrick’s Day, this Saturday and spots are still open as of Wednesday. New this year, the race is offering youth pricing, inviting runners as young as six to join in. Runners are encouraged to dress-up in festive green and gold outfits. After the race votes will be placed…

Inside Dubh Linn Irish Pub’s St. Patrick’s Day Preparations

This year the pub will offer a special surprise breakfast.

DULUTH, Minn.-  This year many Northlanders will be able to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as it falls on a Saturday. Many businesses are already preparing for the busy day. Dubh Linn Irish Brew Pub has become a popular spot to celebrate for all ages. The bar will have live bagpipe performances and hammerschlagen. But this year the holiday breakfast is…

Governor Dayton Gives Final State of the State

Gov. Dayton addresses health care, education, and encourages diversity.

DULUTH, Minn.- Governor Mark Dayton gave his last State of the State Address highlighting education, taxes, and healthcare.  Gov. Dayton announced nearly 80,000 students are now attending all day kindergarten. The University of Minnesota  will not be increasing tuition, due to an extra $10 million of state funding. Gov. Dayton said law makers have a decision to make, stating they can…

Duluth High School Students Join National Gun Violence Protest

East and Denfeld Students Were Joined by Neighbors and Friends Showing Solidarity with Parkland Victims

DULUTH, Minn. – Last month’s school shooting in Parkland, Florida, was just the latest in a string of violence on school campuses. Students from several Northland schools took part in a national walk out against gun violence to show solidarity. It wasn’t a typical day at East High school in Duluth. At 10 a.m. on this Wednesday morning many students…

Free Lenten Organ Recitals Happening Around Duluth

Every Wednesday, a 30 Minute Performance Helps Raise Money for an Organ Scholarship Fund

DULUTH, Minn. – Churches around Duluth are offering free organ recitals during lent. Performances happen between 12:15 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. every Wednesday. Donations are accepted at each recital to benefit an organ scholarship fund to help students learn the instrument. “The organ is the closest thing I can get playing a solo instrument, maybe playing a flute or being…

New Virginia Public Safety Building Closer to Becoming a Reality

Officials Are Asking for $2 million to $14 million in State Bonding Money to Move Forward

VIRGINIA, Minn. – A proposed new public safety building in Virginia is closer to becoming a reality. Renderings of the new facility have been released. The 50,000 square foot building would house the city’s police and fire departments in the same place along the Second Avenue corridor. Virginia leaders are now asking for between $2 million and $14 million in…

Fitger’s Bockfest Celebrates the Pending Arrival of Spring

Fitger's wants you to come early and stay late!

DULUTH, Minn. – You know spring is around the corner because Fitger’s Bockfest happens this week in Duluth. It’s a beer festival but also a celebration of spring. It’s a big deal in Germany and this will be the 24th anniversary for the event in Duluth. Organizers are reintroducing the Bockhunt where people are given clues in search of bock…

Guess the Date of “Official” Snowmelt at Lutsen

Contestants Can Submit Their Vote up Until Midnight on Friday, March 23

LUTSEN, Minn. – If you’re counting down the final days before snow if officially gone, you may want to turn your attention to Lutsen Mountains. Right now you have the chance to guess when the last pile of snow will melt. This date will be determined on Mystery Mountain when the snow on the slopes fits within a standard sized hula…

One Arrested After Stolen Military Vehicle was Recovered

The Hibbing Police Department has arrested a male suspect for stealing a military vehicle.

HIBBING, Minn. – Hibbing Police have arrested a male for stealing an HEMMT wrecker from the Hibbing Minnesota National Guard Armory. Police responded to a call around 1 p.m. to the Hibbing Minnesota National Guard Armory and were updated by maintenance personnel who had followed the vehicle. The driver of the stolen vehicle was taken into custody without incident. The…

Miller Trial Update

Jury deliberations to start tomorrow.

DULUTH, Minn. – The discrimination trial between former women’s hockey coach Shannon Miller and UMD is expected to wrap up tomorrow. Closing arguments will take place tomorrow morning followed by jury deliberations. The case stems from when Miller’s contract was not renewed after the end of the 2015 season. Miller claims she was discriminated against by UMD because of her…

Update on Bank Robbery in Orr

Authorities are still investigating the incident.

Orr, Minn. – According to the Saint Louis County Sheriff’s Office a suspect is in custody following a bank robbery this morning in Orr. The bank robbery happened at the American Bank of the North located on Highway 53 in Orr. The suspect was reported to have used pepper spray on two bank employees. Both employees were taken to the…

Male Sustains Significant Injuries in Washburn County hit and run Incident

Authorities are asking for the public's assistance in finding the person responsible for hit and run incident.

SPOONER, Wis. – The Washburn County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to come forward with any information they may have regarding a hit and run that took place early Tuesday morning. The Washburn County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call around 4:50 a.m. on March 13 from a female stating that her boyfriend was struck by a vehicle on County…

Dog Dies After Airline Worker Orders it be Placed in Overhead bin

Passenger forced to put small dog in overhead bin for flight.

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)(AP) – A dog died on a United Airlines plane after a flight attendant ordered its owner to put the animal in the plane’s overhead bin. United said Tuesday that it takes full responsibility for the incident on the Monday night flight from Houston to New York. In a statement, United called it “a tragic accident…

Suspect in Custody Following Alleged Bank Robbery in Orr

Authorities are still investigating incident.

ORR, Minn. – According to the Saint Louis County Sheriff’s Office a suspect is in custody following an alleged bank robbery this morning in Orr. The alleged bank robbery happened at the American Bank of the North located on Highway 53 in Orr. The authorities are still investigating the incident. Check back for further updates on this case as they…

Father Shot on Minnesota Sidewalk had Fled From Iraq

Al Naddf had fled Iraq to escape violence.

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) — A man who was fatally shot on a sidewalk in Rochester, Minnesota, fled Iraq several years ago to escape violence. Ahmed Muafaq Abdulhu Al Naddf, 40, immigrated to the U.S. in 2014 with his wife and their two children. Al Naddf died after being shot in the chest Monday night. Police have arrested 25-year-old Eric Tyler…

Ford Recalls Almost 1.4M cars; Steering Wheel can Come Loose

Ford says the steering wheels can detach from the steering column.

(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)DETROIT (AP) — Under pressure from U.S. regulators, Ford is recalling nearly 1.4 million midsize cars in North America because the steering wheels can detach from the steering column and drivers could lose control. The recall covers certain Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ cars from the 2014 through 2018 model years. Ford says steering wheel bolts can…

MNsure CEO Allison O’Toole Stepping Down

Nate Clark will be taking on the role of Acting CEO.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The head of Minnesota’s health insurance exchange is stepping down. Allison O’Toole announced Wednesday that she will leave MNsure next month. O’Toole served as chief executive for nearly three years, overseeing record signups in individual health care plans even as premiums were rising sharply. Her departure comes at a tumultuous time for health care nationwide…

Smooth Sounds of Jazz to Fill UMD Music Halls

UMD Celebrates 45th Annual Head of the Lakes Jazz Festival This Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend the smooth sounds of jazz will be filling music halls at the University of Minnesota – Duluth. It’s all for the 45th Annual Head of the Lakes Jazz Festival. The fun gets underway with a performance by the Bobby Watson Quartet on Friday, March 16, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. in the Weber Music Hall. It…

Early Morning Hibbing Fire Sends one to the Hospital

The cause of the fire is under investigation

Courtesy: Northland FireWireHIBBING, Minn. – A fire broke out around 5 a.m. this morning in the 1900 block of 7th Avenue East in Hibbing. According to the Northland FireWire the two adult and two juvenile occupants were able to escape to safety, however one person was transported by ambulance to the Hibbing hospital for smoke inhalation and was later released….

Stephen Hawking Dies at the age of 76

Hawking was the best known theoretical physicist of his time.

(AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File) WASHINGTON (AP) – Renowned physicist Stephen Hawking died early Wednesday, a University of Cambridge spokesman said. Hawking was the best known theoretical physicist of his time. Hawking was known for writing about the mysteries of space, time and black holes. He was 76 years old. Categories: News, News – Latest News, US & World News

Minnesota and Wisconsin Students set to Participate in Walkouts

Students at Duluth Denfeld, Duluth East and UMD are just some of the local schools participating

(AP Photo/Matt Dunham)MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Students at dozens of Minnesota schools plan to walk out of classes in response to last month’s deadly school shooting in Florida. The walkout planned for 10 a.m. Wednesday comes one month after the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The national demonstration is expected to last 17 minutes…

Animal Answers: Scooby’s Story

Megan Wedel, Founder of Nemo Paws, Made the Trip to Texas with Volunteers in September, Bringing Back 20 Dogs to the Northland

ESKO, Minn. – Last August Hurricane Harvey proved to be one of the deadliest natural disasters in United States history. But through the devastation came light at the end of a dark tunnel for one Northland family. “It takes a village; there was a lot of us there to make this organization work,” said Megan Wedel, Founder of Nemo Paws….

Three Rural Illinois men Charged with Minnesota Mosque Bombing

The motives are still unclear.

(David Joles/Star Tribune via AP File)CHICAGO (AP) – Why three men allegedly chose to travel some 500 miles from a rural farming community in Illinois to bomb a specific mosque in suburban Minneapolis isn’t clear. But a complaint released as they were charged Tuesday in the 2017 attack includes a chilling comment one suspect allegedly made about their desired effect:…

Great Outdoors: Midwest Masters Ski Races

Skiers hit the slopes at Spirit Mountain for the final race of the season

DULUTH, Minn. – The Ski racing season came to a close as Spirit Mountain hosted the Midwest Masters Ski Races last Saturday. Fox 21 Photojournalist Graham Hakala talked to skiers and organizers at the event who say they find their passion on the hills.  56 racers took to the slopes during the competition. The Midwest Masters is a U.S. Alpine…

“The Harbinger” Movie to Be Shot in Chisholm

$2 Million Film to Bring More Than 100 Jobs to the Iron Range

CHISHOLM, Minn. – “I found out that Chisholm Minnesota in the movie Field of Dreams was actually shot in Illinois,” said Director/Writer Will Klipstine. “I was like even that wasn’t shot in Chisholm, we’ve got to change that.” A movie is being made on the Iron Range. “The Harbinger” will start shooting next month at Ironbound Studios in the basement of…

New Businesses Replacing Miller Hill Mall Grizzly’s

It would be used as an office and retail space.

DULUTH, Minn.- A proposal has been passed by the Duluth Planning Commission to tear down the Miller Hill Grizzly’s along with Fred’s Motors which is right next door to it. What would replace it would be a smaller restaurant with a drive-thru . A 22,000 square-foot structure, would also be placed there and used as an office and retail space….

Pennsylvania Congressional Contest Considered Preview for November Midterms

Due to new congressional boundaries, the winner will have to start campaigning for re-elecetion in November.

(Photo Courtesy: AP)MT. LEBANON, Pa. (AP) — Voters across western Pennsylvania weighed in Tuesday on a surprisingly tight congressional contest that pitted the strength of President Donald Trump’s grasp on blue-collar America against the energy and anger of the political left. The fight between Republican state Rep. Rick Saccone and Democrat Conor Lamb has drawn national attention as a bellwether…

“Going Blue” at 8th Annual River Summit

Event organizers say Lake Superior is critical to our everyday lives.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Here in the Northland, we depend on our lakes just to keep us alive. This week, a conference has those fresh waters in mind. It’s the eighth annual St. Louis River Summit at the Yellowjacket Union on campus at University of Wisconsin-Superior. The conference brings together some of the top scientific minds in the area to discuss…

Web Surfing Classes Offered for Seniors

Classes Held Second and Fourth Tuesday of the Month

DULUTH, Minn.-Seniors are getting help in the Northland with their computer skills. Senior LinkAge Line held a class today at the Rainbow Community Center to teacher the elderly all about surfing the web. Participants were able to learn about how Internet searching works and how to get to sites seniors find most useful like Medicare. How to protect yourself on…

President Donald Trump Pays Visit to Wall Prototypes

He said he preferred a fully concrete wall because it was the hardest to climb, but he noted that it needed to be see-through.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday got his chance to inspect prototypes for the “big beautiful border wall” he wants to build to separate the U.S. from Mexico, saying strengthening the border would help stop “99 percent” of illegal immigration — or, he allowed, “maybe more than that.” The president, making his first trip to California as…

Sugar Ray To Headline “Rock The Big Top” During Grandma’s Marathon Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. – Come for the race, stay for the party and “Rock The Big Top” with the best live entertainment Canal Park has to offer! Grandma’s Marathon is excited to present Sugar Ray as the headliner for the Big Top Tent on Friday, June 15. The entertainment lineup will also include supporting artist Belfast Cowboys, and the after-party will…

Proposal to Remove the Grizzly’s Restaurant in Duluth

Two new structures proposed to put in place of Grizzly's and Fred's Motors

DULUTH, Minn. – A proposal has been submitted to the Duluth Planning Commission to remove Grizzly’s restaurant and Fred’s Motors on Miller Trunk Highway and replace them with two new buildings. In the proposal one building would be designated for a 2,200 square foot restaurant with a drive-thru. The second building would be a two story 22,000 square foot structure…

GOP Proposes Work Requirement for Public Health Care

Discussions Focus on Enrolees in Medical Assistance Working 80 Hours a Month

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Minnesota Republicans will push to impose a work requirement for the state’s health care program for those in poverty. A group of House and Senate Republicans introduced a bill Monday that would require Medical Assistance enrollees to work at least 80 hours a month, seek employment or enroll in job training programs. It exempts many at-home parents as…

Minnesota’s Exports up Eight Percent From 2016

Top Export in Minnesota was Medical Equipment

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development announced the state exported $21 billion worth of products last year, which is an eight percent jump from 2016. “Exports continue to be a vital part of our state’s economy, supporting nearly 118,000 jobs in Minnesota,” said DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy. “After suffering export losses in 2016, Minnesota companies have bounced…

Student Walkouts Planned Across US to Protest gun Violence

In Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Texas, some lawyers said they will provide free legal help to students who are punished.

(Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via AP, File)(AP) – From Maine to Hawaii, thousands of students planned to stage walkouts Wednesday to protest gun violence, one month after the deadly shooting inside a high school in Parkland, Florida. Organizers say nearly 3,000 walkouts are set in the biggest demonstration yet of the student activism that has emerged following the massacre…

Official who led Troubled Licensing System is Fired

Meekin is not going quietly.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A state official who led Minnesota’s troubled computer system for vehicle licensing has been fired. The $93 million system has been plagued by problems since it went online last summer. And, the Department of Public Safety is asking for another $43 million to fix those problems, including backlogs that have frustrated drivers. The department’s chief…

String Quartet to Perform in Duluth Breweries

Beerthoven: On Tour

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth is known for its great craft beer industry, and also for the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. Now, the two are joining forces. The Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra is going on tour with Beerthoven to five different breweries. The Highland String Quartet will be performing at Hoops Brewing from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. This is free to…

Three Students in Critical Condition Following van, Semi Crash

Six young people remain hospitalized including three in critical condition.

BENSON, Minn. (AP) – Six young people remain hospitalized, including three in critical condition, following a collision between a school van and a semi in western Minnesota. The Swift County Sheriff’s Office says a 14-year-old and two 16-year-olds are in critical condition following Monday afternoon’s crash west of Benson, which is about 115 miles (185 kilometers) west of Minneapolis. The…

Kid-Friendly Events Connect Youth to Northland History

Camp Bong & Stuffie Boot Camp Taking Registrations

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Two fun events in Superior are getting school-aged kids involved with local history. Officials at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center are continuing Camp Bong have created another event, Stuffie Boot Camp. Camp Bong is put on by the historical center and The University of Wisconsin – Superior. Camp Bong is a sleepover experience at the…

Toppers Pizza to Open in Duluth Mid-April

DULUTH, Minn. – A new spot to pick up a pizza will soon be open in Duluth. Two Duluth natives, Jordan DeCaro and Jon Matko, are opening a Wisconsin-based Toppers Pizza location. General Manager Justin Lyons, also a Duluth native, visited FOX 21 and tells us Toppers pizza stands out because their pizzas are all made with fresh ingredients. Toppers…

Tillerson out at State, to be Replaced by CIA Chief Pompeo

Trump said that the CIA’s deputy director, Gina Haspel, would take over for Pompeo at the intelligence agency.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday and said he would nominate CIA Director Mike Pompeo to replace him, in a major staff reshuffle just as Trump dives into high-stakes talks with North Korea. Trump announced the change in a tweet early Tuesday just four hours after Tillerson returned to Washington…

Policy Change: Duluth Police Allowed To Sport Beards — With Conditions

For 120 Years, Officers Could Only Sport A Mustache Or Clean-Shaven Look

DULUTH, Minn. – What turned out to be a facial-hair fundraiser for local non-profits this past November has turned into a permanent policy that now allows Duluth police officers to sport beards from here on out. This change in policy is truly historic because for the last 120 years officers could only sport a mustache or a clean-shaven look. But after…