News – Latest News

Flu Cases on Rise in Duluth

Doctors Report Normal Surge in Cases for This Time of Year

DULUTH, Minn. – Winter may be winding down, but flu season is still going strong. Doctors at St. Luke’s in Duluth say they’ve seen an increase in flu cases over the last few weeks, which is normal for this time of year. Flu shots are still available. According to Dr. Andrew Thompson, M.D. of St. Luke’s Infectious Disease Clinic, now…

Lake Superior Surfers Hang Ten

Surfers Hit the Waves for a new Film

DULUTH, Minn. – Surfers were hanging ten on Lake Superior early Wednesday morning. About seven or eight surfers waxed their boards, and hit the water near Stoney Point.  They were there… making a film about winter surfing for an upcoming student film festival. “I just think it’s so interesting, especially in the winter,” said Brad Nordin, one of the filmmakers. …

SPECIAL REPORT: Canadian Connection Part 2

Join us on Thursday, February 9 for Part Two of our Special Report: Canadian Connection

Join us on Thursday after My Kitchen Rules, for a special report on the Canadian Connection with FOX 21’s Brett Scott. We’ll take a look at how important our neighbors to the north are to our local economies, and just why they’ve chosen the Twin Ports to flock to.       Categories: Business, News, News – Latest News, Special…

Fire Breaks Out in Superior Home

The fire was reported on the 2300 block of John Avenue

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Around 8:36 a.m., Wednesday morning, the Superior Fire Department and other first responders, responded to a structure fire in the 2300 block of John Avenue. When crews arrived, they found a large volume of dark brown and black smoke coming form the roof vents and eves of a single story addition on a two story home. All…

South St. Paul School District Notified of Sexual Abuse by Former Teacher

The former teacher was involved in an apparent murder-suicide back in August

Aric BabbittSOUTH ST. PAUL, Minn. – The South St. Paul School District has been notified of a claim of sexual abuse by a former Lincoln Elementary School teacher. Forty-year-old Aric Babbitt, was found dead along with his husband, Matthew Deyo, in an apparent murder-suicide on an island in Washington state in August 2016. The incident came after Babbitt was placed…

Republicans Push for Carbon Tax to Fight Climate Change

WASHINGTON (AP) – A push by a group of senior Republican statesmen for a tax on carbon to help combat the effects of climate change is already meeting entrenched opposition from their own party. Former Secretary of State Jim Baker with to the White House today, looking for Trump administration support for the plan. It would place a new tax…

Wisconsin Senate Passes Marijuana Extract Bill

Passed 31-1 Wednesday, headed to the Assembly next

MADISON (AP) – The state Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill that would make it legal to use a marijuana extract to treat seizures. The measure legalizes possession of cannabidiol oil with a doctor’s certification. The chapter adopted the bill on a 31-1 vote Wednesday. Republican Senator Duey Stroebel was the only senator to vote against it. Parents of children…

Dayton Says Prostate Surgery Won’t Slow Him Down

(Photo: Newsfile)ST. PAUL (AP) – Governor Mark Dayton says he’s confident his upcoming prostate cancer surgery won’t hinder his remaining two years in office. The Democratic governor is scheduled to undergo surgery to remove his prostate on March 2. Dayton revealed his diagnosis late last month, a day after collapsing during his State of the State address. Dayton said Wednesday…

Duluth Schools Superintendent Looking for New Job

Has Sought Other Opportunities Before

DULUTH, Minn.-Duluth Public Schools Superintendent Bill Gronseth is a finalist for that same position for Independent School District 728 in the Twin Cities area. That district includes schools in Elk River, Ostego, Rogers, and Zimmerman. Five other candidates are also up for the post. ISD 728 is currently narrowing down the field of candidates to two or three. Interviews will…

Lawyers: Castile was Reaching for Gun when Officer Shot Him

ST. PAUL (AP) – Attorneys for a Minnesota police officer accused of fatally shooting a black man during a traffic stop say Philando Castile’s gun was accessible and that he was reaching for it when he was killed. The Star Tribune reports that a memo filed Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court contradicts prosecutors’ claims that St. Anthony Officer Jeronimo…

Walker Set to Deliver Budget Address

Schools Look to get New Funding

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – After years of deep cuts, K-12 public schools and the University of Wisconsin stand to be big winners under Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed state budget. Now all Walker has to do is convince lukewarm fellow Republicans who control the state Legislature to go along. Walker was set to deliver the budget to the Legislature on Wednesday…

Minnesota Lawmaker Starts Long-shot Bid to Legalize Marijuana

Would be for Recreation Use

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)-A Minnesota Democrat says it’s time for the state to legalize recreational marijuana use. The state passed a tightly controlled medical marijuana law in 2014. It bans using the plant form, and is only available to residents with a handful of severe conditions. Rep. Jon Applebaum’s said Wednesday he’s planning a bill that would add Minnesota to…

Demolisher of Home of Wetterling Killer Gives Lot to City

Won't be Developed for at Least a Decade

ANNANDALE, Minn. (AP) – A real estate developer who demolished the Minnesota home of the man who killed Jacob Wettlerling in 1989 says he is giving the vacant lot to the city of Annandale. Developer Tim Thone said Tuesday the city has agreed not to develop the quarter-acre lot for at least a decade. He stipulated that any proceeds from…

Great Outdoors: Ice Climbing

Ice Climbing With UMD Ice Climbing Instructors

DULUTH, Minn. – Ice climbing in the Northland is a sport that’s always popular during the winter. In this week’s edition of FOX 21’s Great Outdoors, we tag along with UMD ice climbing instructors to a relatively unknown ice climbing spot in Chester Park. For UMD ice climbing instructor Kevin Taralseth having ice to climb just minutes away from campus is a…

Two Saved in Superior Apartment Fire

One Resident And First Responders Make Right Decisions

UPDATE: Both victims of this fire are currently in intensive care units. A male victim, Ronald Stark, is in critical condition at the burn unit at Miller Dwan, and a female victim, Kellie Cook is listed in stable condition, but remains in the intensive care unit at Essentia Duluth. SUPERIOR, Wis. – Heroic efforts by an apartment resident and the…

Local Hospitals React to Immigration Ban

Local hospitals say that they're taking a wait and see approach to how the ban will affect them.

DULUTH, Minn. – Area hospitals are taking a wait and see approach to the temporary immigration ban and they vow to help their patients and staff in whatever ways they can. St. Luke’s said that they’re looking at the ban three different ways: how it affects their patients; their staff; and students in the area who are their future workforce….

Emergency Personnel Deal with Snowy Conditions

Fire trucks come with chains and other safety devices to get them to emergencies quickly and safely when it snows.

DULUTH, Minn. – First responders not only have traffic to deal with when heading to an emergency, but they also have to deal with less than ideal conditions when the weather gets bad. The Duluth Fire Department said that snowy roadways mixed in with Duluth’s hills and unique terrain bring some challenges. Their trucks do come with automatic chains and…

Proctor Athletic Facilities Referendum Passed

Property taxes over the next 20 years will help pay for the nearly $12 million facility

PROCTOR, Minn. – Proctor residents have voted to pass a referendum to pay for a new hockey arena and multi–functional turf field. The referendum was approved with 1159 votes in favor and 909 votes against. Property taxes over the next 20 years will help pay for the nearly $12 million facility. The amount taxes will go up is dependent on…

Paid Sick Leave Debate Continues

Community Forum Held Today to Discuss Issue

DULUTH, Minn.-The debate for whether employers should offer paid sick leave raged on at a community forum in Duluth today. Representatives from various organizations and businesses attended the event including the Duluth City Council President. One of the main goals was to learn more about how the council-sponsored Earned Sick and Safe Leave Taskforce. “It’s really to educate … on…

Governor Dayton to Have Surgery on Prostate

Governor Avoiding Radiation

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton announced today he plans to undergo surgery in early March to treat his prostate cancer. He revealed the diagnosis late last month after collapsing during his State of the State address. His doctors have said the cancer was caught early and is treatable through surgery or radiation. It has not spread…

Proctor Set to Vote on New Sports Facility

Cost Could Reach $12 million

PROCTOR, Minn.-Tonight Proctor residents are voting on whether to pay for a new hockey arena and multi-functional turf field. The facility would cost about $12 million. School officials have said their current facility is about 45-years-old and outlived its lifespan. If voted in, property taxes would pay for the facility. The amount taxes would go up are dependent on a…

Endi Apartments Celebrates Grand Opening With Ribbon Cutting

The project began back in the fall of 2014

DULUTH, Minn. — A housing project that’s been more than two years in the making is celebrating its grand opening on London Road in Duluth. Developers and city leaders cut the ribbon in the lobby of Endi Apartments earlier this morning. We first reported on the project back in the fall of 2014, and now the housing and retail complex is…

St. Louis County Closer to Supporting National Forest Mining

Commission Approved Preliminary Resolution 4-3

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County commissioners are one step closer to approving a resolution in favor of copper mining in the Superior National Forest. Commissioners heard arguments both for and against the resolution, which calls on the Trump administration to reverse President Obama’s decision to block copper mining in more than 234,000 acres of the forest. Some, came from…

More People Celebrating Pet Birthdays

Matilda's Bakery in Duluth Specializes in Treats for any Occasion

DULUTH, Minn. – For many, dogs and cats are more than pets, they’re part of the family. More and more pet owners treat their furry friends as such.  Joanne Elliott, owner of Matilda’s Bakery in Duluth is one of those people, and her shop is packed with all kinds of tasty treats.  One of her most popular items is the…

Students Get College Preview at WITC Career Day

More than 400 Students from Nine Schools were on Campus

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College opened its doors to more than 400 high school students From nine Northland schools Tuesday. As part of Career Day, these kids could experience everything WITC has to offer.  From nursing, to early childhood education, to trade programs, students got to work with teachers and current students to find out what WITC is…

Twin Cities Airport to get Automated Security Lanes

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Automated security lanes are expected to make it easier for air travelers at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Minnesota Public Radio reports the Metropolitan Airports Commission approved on Monday the purchase of the lanes that promise to increase the capacity of passenger screening by as much as 40 percent by using automatic bin dispensers and conveyors. The…

Cloquet Fire Victim Identified

Fire Crews Still Trying to Figure Out Cause

CLOQUET, Minn.-The remains of Thursday’s Cloquet fire victim have been identified. The homeowner, 51-year-old Sharyl Nelson was identified by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office. Multiple crews battled the blaze at 3912 Highway 33, but the home and attached garage were destroyed. The fire remains under investigation as they continue to try and figure out a cause. Categories: News, News…

One Dead After Crash in Two Harbors

Superior Teen Killed

TWO HARBORS, Minn.-One person is dead today after car crash in Two Harbors at 10 a.m. An 18-year-old Superior resident was killed after she lost control of her vehicle and collided with another car on Highway 61 on the outskirts of Two Harbors. The driver of the other vehicle was a 24-year-old resident of Grand Marais. She had non-life threatening…

Trump Says He Would Have Won Minnesota With 1 More Visit

Evan Vucci/APWASHINGTON (AP) – The 2016 election is never far from President Donald Trump’s mind. When Trump met Tuesday with a group of sheriffs from around the country, he saw not just lawmen but battleground states. Trump talked about his victories with officials from Pennsylvania and North Carolina. And when a sheriff from Minnesota introduced himself, Trump said if he…

Dog Food Sold in Minnesota Recalled for Pentobarbital Contamination

Five lots of Hunk of Beef have been voluntarily recalled

An Illinois-based pet food company is voluntarily recalling one of its products after four dogs became sick and one died after consuming the company’s dog food. Evanders Dog & Cat Food is recalling five lots of its Hunk of Beef product due to potential contamination with Pentobarbital, which can affect animals causing drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance, nausea, and…

Army to Allow Completion of Dakota Access Oil Pipeline

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The Army has notified Congress that it will allow the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline to cross under a Missouri River reservoir in North Dakota, completing the four-state project to move North Dakota oil to Illinois. The Justice Department filed court documents Tuesday including letters to members of Congress from Deputy Assistant Army Secretary Paul Cramer….

Walker’s Budget Looks to Cut UW Tuition by 5-Percent

MADISON (AP) – Governor Scott Walker wants to cut the University of Wisconsin System tuition by 5 percent, letting students opt out of paying some fees and grant the system’s request for additional state aid. The governor made the announcement at UW- La Crosse on Tuesday. He says the budget he will release on Wednesday will cut resident undergraduate tuition…

Heroin Bust Leads to Six Arrests in Duluth

Search warrant executed on Feb. 2

DULUTH, Minn. – Just before 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 2, investigators from the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force executed a search warrant at an apartment in the 2800 block of West 3rd Street. The search warrant came after an investigation into the suspected sale of controlled substances, specifically heroin, by the people living at that address….

Minnesota Bill Banning Cellphone Use While Driving Proposed

ST. PAUL (AP) – Several state lawmakers are proposing legislation that bans cellphone use while driving, with the exception of hands-free devices. Democrat Representative Frank Hornstein says more and more accidents are the result of distracted driving. He says this law would save lives and prevent injuries. The St. Paul Pioneer Press says Hornstein is co-authoring the bill with Republican…

SPECIAL REPORT: Canadian Connection Part 1

Join us for Part One of our Special Report: Canadian Connection on Wednesday after Star

Join us on Wednesday after Star, for a special report on the Canadian Connection with FOX 21’s Brett Scott. We’ll take a look at how important our neighbors to the north are to our local economies, and just why they’ve chosen the Twin Ports to flock to. Brett will also take us to some area businesses near the border and…

Cloquet Murder Conviction Overturned

Could go to Minnesota Supreme Court

CLOQUET, Minn.-A third-degree murder conviction against a Cloquet man has been tossed out by the Minnesota Court of Appeals. 53-year-old Robert Ferguson was convicted in 2014 of selling a fentanyl patch to Paul Mrosla. The man later died after ingesting it. The court ruled that the case should be thrown out because the evidence does not corroborate a witness’s testimony….

Senate confirms Betsy DeVos for Education Department

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate has confirmed school choice activist Betsy DeVos as Education secretary, with Vice President Mike Pence breaking a 50-50 tie. The Senate historian says it was the first time a vice president had to break a tie on a Cabinet nomination. Two Republicans joined Democrats Tuesday to vote to derail DeVos’ nomination. Democrats cited her lack…

Knowing Your Neighbor: Vietnamese Lantern

Vietnamese Lantern In Two Harbors Works To Give Original Recipes

Two Harbors, Minn. – A Vietnamese restaurant in Two Harbors has recently changed owners, who are wanting to serve good, traditional Vietnamese food, with a smile. For this week’s Knowing Your Neighbors, we’re heading to the Vietnamese Lantern. Cooking is an art, an art that Lilly Bailey loves to do in her very own restaurant and a restaurant that was a dream…

How Local Hospitals React When a Shooting Occurs

Hospitals work with law enforcement to determine if a lockdown is necessary when they admit shooting victims.

DULUTH, Minn. – In light of the recent shootings, some areas have had to go into lockdowns when victims arrive at their facilities. St. Luke’s in Duluth has four different types of lockdowns that they can go into depending upon the situation. They work with law enforcement and measure the severity of the threat. Many areas are already restricted and…

Proctor Referendum Vote Coming Soon

The referendum would pay for a new hockey arena and a multi-functional artificial turf field.

PROCTOR, Minn. – The Proctor Rails hockey teams currently play in an arena that is forty-five years old and in need of repair. However, they could play in a new arena next year if a referendum passes. If Proctor voters pass the referendum on February 7th, the funding would go towards building a new hockey arena and a multi-functional artificial…

Nature Enthusiast Capturing Unique Views of Lake Superior

A Duluth man has been sharing stunng videos from beneath the water's surface

DULUTH, Minn. – We’ve all seen the beautiful images of Lake Superior through the lens of local photographers, but one Duluth man is sharing a different view. For the past few years, Jim Richardson, also known as the Lake Superior Aquaman, has been capturing views from below the lake’s surface. Richardson calls himself a nature enthusiast and has always loved…

Man Killed in Weekend Fire Was Well-Known Pastor

A memorial fund has been set up to help assist the family of Jeff Sorvik

NORMANA TOWNSHIP, Minn. – The man killed in a house fire this past Saturday in rural Normana Township has been identified as 52–year–old Jeffrey Sorvik. Sorvik was a well–known pastor and helped plant many evangelical free churches across the Northland, including Anchor Point Community Church in Lakeside and North Bay Church in Superior. His work led him to the Evangelical…

Gronks Welcomes Gift Certificates of a Closed Business

O'Neill's Pub and Liquor Gift Cards Can be Used at Gronks

    SUPERIOR, Wis.- Gronks Grill and Bar is accepting O’Neill’s Pub and Liquor gift cards and drink tickets. O’Neills had been open on its location on Tower Avenue for about 10 years, but closed for good on December 31st. Gronks Owners decided to extend a helping hand to O’Neills customers who never had the chance to use their gift…

Firefighters Battle More Than Blazes

Hypothermia is a Big Problem in Winter Fire Fighting

SUPERIOR, Wis.- More Heating and electrical appliances can mean more fires in homes across the Northland. When firefighters battle blazes in the wintertime, they may be in an environment like a burning house that can be more than 300 degrees, and within minutes come back outside to subzero temperatures. This contrast in temperature can cause hypothermia. To combat this, fire…

Illegal Tobacco Sales to Minors Up in Douglas County

Under-aged Kids Were Able to Buy Tobbaco Products 13% of the Time They Tried

  SUPERIOR, Wis.- State mandated compliance checks were held in Douglas County to make sure businesses aren’t selling tobacco products to under aged minors. The minors who were part of the test were able to purchase the tobacco products 13 percent of the time they tried. Experts say the tobacco industry is producing products that appeal to a younger generation,…

St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church is Torn Down

The Church is Around 100 Years Old

  DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church which closed in 2015, was demolished today The Duluth Diocese made a decision in 2012 to merge St. Elizabeth Catholic church in Gary New Duluth and St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Morgan Park with St. James Catholic Church in West Duluth back in 2012. It was a move to address…