News – Latest News

Minnesota Lawmaker: Vaccine Opt-Out Should Require Education

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota state lawmaker wants parents who are opposed to vaccinating their children to see a physician before opting out of the state’s immunization schedule. Democratic-Farmer-Labor Rep. Mike Freiberg says legislation he’s sponsoring preserves parental choice, but argues a measles outbreak in the summer showed that parents need to “have the knowledge and information that…

Celebrating with CASDA this New Year’s Eve

CASDA Wants to Celebrate this New Year's Eve With You by Supporting Services to Victims and Survivors of Violence

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – The Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse (CASDA) is excited to announce the 9th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration, “Behind the Mask,” will take place Sunday, December 31st. CASDA will also be celebrating the kickoff to their 30th anniversary of serving the Twin Ports. Tickets are $50 per person in advance, or $60 at the door. Advance…

Keeping the Pack Taken Care Of

Packare was Founded Nearly Five Years Ago by Duluthian Alicia Skjoelsvold

DULUTH, Minn. – Everything but lions, tigers and bears help keep Alicia Skjoelsvold’s business alive. “Kitties, pocket pets, sugar gliders, guinea pigs, rabbits, bearded dragons,” said Skjoelsvold. “We do pet sitting and dog walking.” The native Duluthian decided five years ago to leave her dream job; reality had set in and routine became a bore. “This time of year we…

Great Outdoors: Bentleyville Tour of Lights 2017 Finale

Attraction Saw Bigger Crowds Than 2016

Exciting news for Bentleyville Tour of Lights 2017, attendance was way up compared to last year. Nathan Bentley tells us that in 2016, 292,000 people visited Bentleyville in Duluth’s Bayfront Park. In 2017, that number is about 330,000 people. Bentley says it takes a lot of people to make the holiday attraction come together each year, and they are now…

How to Safely Heat your Home

Officials say space heaters are a safe option, but should be treated like a candle.

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s time for many Northlanders to bundle up outside and at home. Many locals are cranking up space heaters but officials want to remind us to warm up safely. This chilly time of year fire departments receive many of house calls. Space heaters are flying off the shelves at local shops, which are a common way to heat a…

How to Keep Vehicles Running Smooth in Freezing Temps

Drivers typically notice car battery problems in extreme temperatures.

DULUTH, Minn.- Its below freezing is the Northland, the chilling temperatures might make you want to bundle up inside. This cold of weather can also make your vehicle not want to move either. Auto repair shops are receiving many calls today from Northlanders struggling starting up their vehicles. The Automedics in Duluth is offering up some tips to help ensure…

Taking Shelter at Safe Haven

Experts say women in abusive situations tend to not leave this time of year.

DULUTH, Minn.- According to the National Resource of Domestic Violence Center calls of domestic abuse decline during the holidays. Advocates with Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center say many reasons play a factor into victims staying in unhealthy relationships during the holidays. This year the safe haven shelter has serviced over 540 families, but a woman’s advocate says if children…

Celebrate New Years Eve at the Duluth Depot

The New Years Eve Celebration Starts at 8:00 p.m. at the Duluth Depot

DULUTH, Minn. – Ring in 2018 by joining your friends and neighbors at the New Year’s’ Eve Party at Duluth’s Historic Union Depot. Ken Buehler, Executive Director of the North Shore Scenic Railroad says this is the biggest New Year’s Eve Party in the Twin Ports. The party takes over the whole Duluth Depot complex. Doors open for happy hour at…

Northland Uncovered: Duluth Bethel Receives Historical Grant

Duluth Bethel Has New Hope For Preserving the Past

DULUTH, Minn. – Historical buildings aren’t too hard to come by in the Northland. But one in Duluth is also home to an organization that’s been around for nearly 150 years, and now, Duluth Bethel has new hope for preserving their past. The story begins in 1912 when the notable Duluth building was built. Duluth Bethel still stands tall on the hill,…

Christmas Movie Trivia Night

Silos Restaurant Guests Competed for Prizes by Answering Movie Questions

DULUTH, Minn. – Silos Restaurant at Pier B Resort hosted a Christmas movie trivia night for all their guests. While competing in the game, players were asked multiple choice questions about classic Christmas movies. They wrote their answers on score cards and competed for prizes. “In the movie ‘A Christmas Story’ did the mother of Ralphie give Ralphie’s dad a…

Open Restaurants Are Busy on Christmas

Cloud 9 Asian Bistro Says It's One of Their Busiest Days

DULUTH, Minn. – There aren’t very many businesses open on Christmas day, but some of the restaurants that are open say they have been very busy on the holiday. Cloud 9 Asian Bistro in Canal Park is serving up sushi, hibachi, and other specials all day. They say Christmas is one of their busiest nights of the year. “The last…

Duluth Firefighters Celebrate Christmas at Their Station

They Made a Holiday Meal and Ate Together as a Family

DULUTH, Minn. – A lot of people in the Northland were working this Christmas including police and fire departments across the region. Duluth firefighters say Christmas is just another day on the job for them. They still have work to do and calls to respond to, but that didn’t stop them from sitting down together to eat Christmas dinner. At…

Music Therapy Providing Care to Hospice Patients

If you stopped into one of Natalie's sessions it would look like; just two friends and a guitar, catching up during a shared love of songs.

DULUTH, Minn.- Music brings many people together especially in hospice care. Music therapists play many roles in soothing and caring for patients. Experts say the songs can also help patient’s family members. Natalie Hest is a certified music therapist working for Essentia Health at the Solvay Hospice House. “As a music therapist I say I have the gift of time and…

Tips for Recycling Old Tech Devices

Responsible Ways to Recycle Old Electronic Devices with the Help of Best Buy

DULUTH, Minn. – Best Buy Mobile Expert Zach Creger offers a few tips for those looking to get rid of your old, out-of-date electronics. Best Buy will recycle or even trade in old electronics. Devices with heating elements will not be accepted. With TVs and monitors, a $25 dollar fee is charged for the item to be recycled. If folks are getting…

Opioid Crisis Hits Hard During the Holidays

Overdoses Spike During Holiday Season

The holiday season can be one of the best or one of the worst times for families. As the Northland struggles to battle a opioid crisis, it hits families especially hard during this time as this is the time of year overdoses spike. It’s also the time of the year that people who have lost ones to overdose can’t avoid…

Last-minute shoppers pick out presents for pets

A Place for Fido was the place to be for dog-lovers this christmas

DULUTH, Minn. – People in Duluth were out in search of that one last thing on their list this Christmas Eve. A Place for Fido in the Fitger’s complex had folks coming in and picking up gifts for that special member of the family…the dogs! Co-owner Jamie Parent says pets always appreciate a good gift, and it can give them…

Grinch Snow Sculpture on 21st Avenue East in Duluth

Sculpture Is At The Home of School Board Member Harry Welty

DULUTH, Minn. – A snow sculpture of the Grinch and his dog Max can be seen at the corner of 21st Avenue East and East Fourth Street in Duluth. There is also a sign that says “Keep Whoville Great Again.” The creation is at the house of outgoing Duluth School Board member Harry Welty. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest…

VFW Christmas Dinner Spreads Holiday Cheer

Dinner Provides Event For People Who Can't Be With Family on the Holiday

DULUTH, Minn. – Across the Northland, families are spending time together to celebrate Christmas Eve, but some families can’t be together on the holiday. The VFW in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood provided a free Christmas Eve dinner, open to everyone who would otherwise be alone on the holiday. For more than three decades, the VFW Post 137 has served Christmas…

UWS Faculty Passes Vote of No Confidence in Administration

Faculty Members Want the University to Include More Voices in Decision Making Process

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Friday night, the University of Wisconsin-Superior faculty passed a vote of no confidence in the University’s administration. About fifty-nine percent of the faculty voted for the no confidence resolution. The vote was taken in response to the administration’s October decision to suspend twenty-five academic programs. Faculty voting for the resolution hope it encourages administrators to re-visit their…

Adventure North MN Has Pop-Up Shop That Gives Back To the Environment

Adventure North has funded organizations $1,000

DULUTH, Minn. – Adventure North MN usually operates out of a enclosed trailer kind of like a food truck, but since it’s cold… they opened a pop–up shop outside Bent Paddle Brewing in Duluth. The clothing brand launched in June 2016 and 10 percent of sales goes back to different organizations in Minnesota that protect the environment. They’re currently working with Friends…

Trailfitters Shares The Best Clothing To Stay Warm

Trailfitters says people are mostly looking for winter down jackets.

DULUTH, Minn. – Staying warm in the Northland can come down to the right clothing. Trailfitters in Duluth says that layers are essential to hold the warm air in. The type of material you buy can also determine if you’ll stay warm and dry. Cotton will keep you cold if it gets wet. While wool and synthetics won’t. “We get a…

CHUM Community Vigil Remembers Those Affected By Homelessness

CHUM's Street Outreach works with about 150-200 people a year.

DULUTH, Minn. – Nearly 100 people showed up at the steps of City Hall in Duluth for a memorial vigil. It was to honor people who’ve been homeless or who were homeless and died in 2017. “First off, they are people and they’re human beings and families. They’re part of our family. second, many of these folks are forgotten by…

Person Who Died in Gilbert Shooting Identified

Jeffrey John Golnick, 40, of Chaska, died of gunshot injuries

GILBERT, Minn. – The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the person who died during an officer involved shooting incident on Friday, December 22, in the city of Gilbert. Jeffrey John Golnick, 40, of Chaska, died of gunshot injuries. Additional information, including the names of officers who discharged their weapons, will be available once initial interviews with the officers and any…

Santa Hands Out Gifts at Benedictine Health Center

Residents and Pre-Schoolers Received the Presents

DULUTH, Minn. – Santa Claus was in town today giving out presents at the Benedictine Health Center. Santa’s presents went to the residents of the center and a class of pre-school kids there. While he’s in Duluth, Santa said that Mrs. Claus is in charge of the North Pole as the elves work on packing his sleigh for Christmas. “You…

Christmas Lighting Challenge Winners Announced

Duluth, Superior, Two Harbors, and Cloquet All Had a "Best Home" and "Best Business" Winners

DULUTH, Minn. – The winners were announced at Bentleyville for the Christmas Lighting Challenge Contest. Duluth, Superior, Cloquet, and Two Harbors each had a “Best Home” and “Best Business” winner. Families voted online for their favorite display after using a map to find more than eighty registered properties. The contest was a lot of fun for Christmas lovers to compete…

Northlanders Have An Option To Prepay 2018 Property Taxes

The St. Louis County Auditor's Office was busy with people calling wanting to pay their taxes early.  

DULUTH, Minn. – Here in the Northland taxpayers are able to pay their 2018 taxes based on their truth and taxation that was mailed out in Nov. By paying these taxes early one can deduct that from their income tax that is filed in April 2018. Officials recommend that all taxpayers speak to an accountant to determine best option. “As…

Local Homeless Shelters Packed Because of Cold Temperatures

Homeless Vigil in Duluth Tomorrow

DULUTH, Minn.-With frigid temperatures due to hit the Northland this weekend, that means local homeless shelters will be packed. One of the leaders of CHUM said they are always busy, but especially this time of the year. That group has also been trying to work with the city to form a community plan to house the homeless in public buildings…

Deputy Shot, Suspect Killed, in Shooting in Gilbert

Investigation is Continuing at This Hour

GILBERT, Minn.-One person was killed today in an officer-involved shooting in Gilbert, while the deputy chasing after them is in the hospital with a gunshot wound. At about 1:15 p.m., a St. Louis County Sheriff’s Deputy and a Gilbert police officer were attempting to locate an individual on a warrant on the 100 block of Michigan Avenue West. The subject…

Update in Ashland Officer-Involved Shooting

District Attorney Looking into Case

ASHLAND, Wis.-New details have emerged in an October officer-involved shooting in Ashland. According to authorities there, two officers confronted a 28-year-old man with what appeared to be a gun in his waistband. Police said they ordered him to raise his hands and not go for the gun. Instead, police say he reached for the gun, which caused the officers to shoot…

FIT4MOM Twin Ports Demonstrates Quick Workout for Busy Moms

Active Adventures: FIT4MOM Twin Ports

DULUTH, Minn. – The holiday season is extremely busy for families and sometimes it can be easy to pass on a regular workout routine. One Northland mom, Lisa Filzen, says there are ways to work something no matter how busy you may be. Filzen is the Owner of FIT4MOM Twin Ports. She says they offer a wide range of classes,…

Feds Keep Proposed Minnesota Copper Mine Plan Alive

Trump Resurrects Efforts of Mine

ST. PAUL, Minn.-The Trump administration has resurrected an effort to build the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. Last December, the Obama administration declined to renew the long-standing leases that the company needs for the underground mine it wants to build near Ely. But an in opinion published Friday, a top attorney at the U.S. Interior Department concluded…

Reports of Shooting in Gilbert

Unknown Amount of Injuries

GILBERT, Minn.-There has been a report of a shooting in Gilbert near Michigan Avenue. A heavy police presence is there. As of now, we don’t know the extent of any injuries in the incident. A neighbor we spoke to said they were asked to stay in their home for about 40 minutes at 1:30 p.m. in that area. Seven to…

Head on Collision Kills One North of Two Harbors

Not Known What Caused Crash

TWO HARBORS, Minn.-One person was killed at 7 a.m. this morning in a head-on collision in Castle Danger, north of Two Harbors. The person is being described as a 39-year-old, according the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, but their name hasn’t been released. It’s not know if road conditions played a factor in the crash. The condition of the person in…

$1.5 Trillion Tax Package Signed into Law

First Tax Overhaul Since 1986

WASHINGTON-President Donald Trump has signed into law a $1.5 trillion tax overhaul package. Trump touted the size of the tax cut, declaring to reporters in the Oval Office before he signed it Friday that “the numbers will speak.”  The president said he was going to wait to sign it until after Jan. 1 but changed his mind. The legislation provides…

Minnesota AG’s Office Says GOP Senate Leader Can’t do Two Jobs

Issue Deals With Naming of New Lieutenant Governor

ST. PAUL, Minn.-The Minnesota attorney general’s office says Republican state Senate President Michelle Fischbach cannot legally keep her Senate seat when she becomes lieutenant governor. Solicitor General Alan Gilbert issued an opinion Thursday saying an 1898 decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court that Republicans have pointed to is no longer valid. But Gilbert notes only a court can decide the…

Stabbing on Grand Avenue Overnight Injures One

Suspect and Victim Knew Each Other

DULUTH, Minn.-A stabbing at 1:50 a.m. this morning on the 3700 block of Grand Avenue, left one man with non-life threatening injuries. When police arrived, they found an adult male with the stab wound. A juvenile suspect was arrested and is being lodged at Arrowhead Juvenile Center on charges related to the incident. The suspect and victim were known to…

Earth Rider Brewery Partners With Duluth Coffee Co. For Coffee-Infused Pale Ale

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Earth Rider Brewery in Superior is collaborating with Duluth Coffee Company to create a coffee-infused pale ale. Brewer Allyson Rolph says it’s a process being done in a way that she has never experienced before. “They brought in some sample coffees and we tasted them and we built a beer around that,” Rolph said. “So we were…

Grizzly’s Canal Park To Become ‘310 Pub’

Owners Felt Grizzly's Business Model Was Outdated For Canal Park

DULUTH, Minn. –  After five years as Grizzly’s in Canal Park, the owners are shutting that business model down to open up a new pub in its place. It’s called 310 Pub. The menu will feature pub-style items like craft beer, apps, tacos, burgers and sandwiches. But the big change will be the entertainment, with corn hole, pool, darts, skeet…

New Communication Tower Ensures Signal for Emergency Responders

The communications tower will help provide a signal that has caused issues for emergency responders in the past.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- A new communications tower will be built in the city of Superior, after to the approval from the state panel. The tower will be built near the intersection of Townline Road and Polish Road on county property. Officials said the signal in that area is spotty. The topography drop off towards the St. Louis River can cause signal problems…

Make Every Child Smile Toy Drive

The toy drive is open for any Northland family in need.

DULUTH, Minn.– Four days until Christmas and Northlanders are busy shopping, the second annual Make Every Child Smile Toy Drive ensures all families can shop. The event is put together by a local entrepreneur Mike Letica. Letica said a Facebook post last year took off and now the toy drive will be an annual event. This year hundreds of gifts…

Local Experts Offer Travel Tips During Busy Holiday Season

AAA Offers Multiple Tips on Travel

DULUTH, Minn.-With many of you expected to head out the door in the coming days to visit your holiday destination, one local group has some tips to avoid a lot of travel headaches. A local representatives from AAA says that this is expected to be the busiest travel season ever, with 107 million people hitting the roads. With that, they…

Salvation Army Still Needs $120,000 to Reach Fundraising Goal

Free Christmas Trees Also Handed Out at Salvation Army Today

DULUTH, Minn.-The Salvation Army needs your help to reach its Red Kettle goal. As of this morning, they have raised $180,000 of their $300,000 goal. Staff said this annual fundraiser is vital to keeping the Salvation Army alive, which helps 15,000 Northlanders every year. “The Red Kettle campaign is the largest single fundraising effort that the Salvation Army does during…

Rally Held Against Possible Changes in Emission Standards

Event Sponsored by Sierra Club

DULUTH, Minn.-A proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency to look into getting rid of some emission standards from cars, has ruffled some feathers locally. Today a rally was hosted by the Sierra Club at Duluth City Hall involving multiple local leaders who expressed concern about how a change in policy could hurt the environment and cost Minnesotan’s money. A representative…

Giving Tree Program Helping to Brighten the Holidays

Event Lets Patients Feel at Home

DULUTH, Minn.-Being in the hospital at this time of the year can be tough, but this year some local elementary students tried to make that experience a little bit brighter. Students from Lester Park Elementary School visited patients at Essentia Health earlier today to hand out ornaments they made in class while also delivering decorated trees. The tradition has been…

Girl Convicted in Slender Man Stabbing Sentenced

Anissa Weier passes a note to defense attorney Joseph Smith Jr.. during closing argument sin her case before Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via AP) WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) – One of two Wisconsin girls who tried to kill a classmate to win favor with a fictional horror character named Slender…

Play Gym Provides Fun Space for Little Northlanders

The city of Duluth invites little Northlanders to a free space of their own.

DULUTH, Minn.-  Parents looking to give their kids a space to play and meet others their age can now stop by one local spot. The Duluth Heights Community Center is hosting Play Gym, a free time open to preschool aged kids and parents. The event welcomes Northland families to come in, enjoy a warm space, and spend some quality time. On goers told FOX21 Play…