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Power Outage on Central Entrance

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department has notified FOX 21 of a power outage up on Central Entrance in Duluth. This outage has also impacted traffic signals in the area. Duluth PD says they are not currently directing traffic in the area and Public Works has not put signage out. Drivers are asked to pay attention and be alert…

Minnesota Man Sentenced to Jail in Revenge Porn Case

Michael Weigel ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – An eastern Minnesota man has been sentenced under a new state law that seeks to hold people accountable for revenge porn. The Pioneer Press reports that 39-year-old Michael Weigel was sentenced to four months in jail and three years of probation. He was convicted on one count of felony non-consensual dissemination of private…

FBI Interviewing Las Vegas Shooter’s Girlfriend

Undated photo of Marilou Danley from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. (AP) LAS VEGAS (AP) – A law enforcement official has told The Associated Press that the Las Vegas shooter’s girlfriend is being questioned by FBI agents in Los Angeles. The official says Marilou Danley was being questioned Wednesday morning at the FBI’s field office in Los Angeles and…

Wisconsin to Fund Child Health Insurance Program

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin health officials say the expiration of the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program won’t immediately affect children and families in the state. Wisconsin Public Radio reports the program provides health coverage to families that make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but don’t make enough to afford private insurance. Funding lapsed over the weekend while…

Wisconsin Rep. Bob Gannon Dies at 58

Rep. Bob Gannon (Photo: Richard’s Insurance) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – State Rep. Bob Gannon, a West Bend Republican in his second term, has died. Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke’s aid, Alesha Potter, says Gannon’s family informed Steineke that Gannon died Tuesday of natural causes. Gannon was 58. Gannon was first elected in 2014 and built a reputation as pro-gun and…

Grand Portage Woman Arrested for Arson

Lori Dahmen (Cook County Sheriff’s Office) GRAND PORTAGE, Minn. – Authorities responded to the report of a structure fire on Townsite Road in Grand Portage at 4:50 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, according to the Cook County Sheriff. Crews from Grand Portage and Hovland Fire Department joined Cook County Deputies in responding to the call. The fire destroyed the home, no…

Northern Minnesota is Highlighted in the 2017 Twin Cities Film Fest

Annual Film Fest Starts October 18

ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. – Hollywood is coming to Minnesota and the Northland is highlighted in some of the films at the 2017  Twin Cities Film Fest. This morning, the Managing Director of the Twin Cities Film Fest, Bill Cooper, stopped by FOX 21. Films about Northern Minnesota are featured in this year’s film fest. They include: Cold November –…

Minnesota, North Dakota Governors Plan Meeting on Diversion

  MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) – The governors of Minnesota and North Dakota have scheduled a meeting to discuss the future of a flood control project in the Fargo-Moorhead area. A federal judge last month stopped construction of the $2.2 billion Red River diversion project over complaints that the Fargo-Moorhead Division Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did not…

Zookeepers Help Animals Prepare for Colder Months Ahead

In This Week's Animal Answers, Lead Zookeeper Emily Perala Talks Winter Preparation for the Animals

DULUTH, Minn. – Colder temperatures are sinking in across much of the Northland. As humans begin bundling up, it’s also time for animals to do the same. While many of them grow thicker coats of fur, some aren’t able to adapt as quickly as others. Zookeepers at the Lake Superior Zoo tell FOX 21’s Brett Scott they’re working to ensure…

Expert Advice On Coping During Tragedies

DULUTH, Minn. – While the country mourns and tries to make the slightest sense of the mass shooting in Las Vegas, mental health experts are speaking out. Extreme tragedies can take a toll on one’s mental health, according to Kelly Chaudoin-Patzoldt, a mental health professional at St. Luke’s. She says it’s important to talk to other about your feelings and also…

Great Outdoors: Nikki Jumps With Skydive Duluth

A View of Lake Superior While Free Falling In The Air

Many in the Twin Ports can’t get enough of Lake Superior’s beauty, but only a few take the chance to see it free falling from 11,000 feet in the sky. Out of 3 million jumps per year, there are only 21 deaths according the National Parachuting Association. That means a person is 24 times more likely to die in a…

Residents Get Update On Morgan Park Housing Development

DULUTH, Minn. – Residents of Morgan Park got a chance to learn about a housing development that’s in the works for the neighborhood. The proposed development consists of eight 12-plex buildings with a total of 96 two-bedroom units that will take over the old Morgan Park Middle School. “Basically what we’re looking for out here is a development that’s going…

Staying Safe This Season in the Woods

Minnesota DNR Offers Tips to Stay Safe When Hunting, Hiking or Spending Time in the Forest

DULUTH, Minn. – Within the past month, search and rescue teams have been dispatched to numerous calls involving lost individuals in the woods. The calls, coming weeks before thousands more people will enter into the forest for the firearm deer season. As the season pushes closer, local law enforcement and the Minnesota DNR want to remind anyone heading into the…

Northern Minnesota Counties Could Lose Some Enbridge Tax Money

Enbridge Looking to Get Back at Least $18 Million

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) – County officials in northern Minnesota say they’re anxious about a property tax case involving Enbridge Energy that could force them to repay $18 million in tax revenue collected between 2012 and 2014. Minnesota Public Radio reports that Enbridge contends the state Department of Revenue began using new methodology in 2012 to determine the value of pipelines…

Local Relief Heading to Hurricane Victims in the Caribbean

International Falls Nurse Going to Caribbean to Help Hurricane Victims

DULUTH, Minn. – Last month multiple hurricanes blasted their way through much of the Caribbean including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Recovery efforts are just beginning down there and today, one International Falls resident decided to lend a hand. John Decker is a registered nurse and isn’t sure which location he’s going to yet, as he heads out today….

Duluth Crews Work to Correct Sanitary Sewer Release on Park Point

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth Public Works and Utilities has identified minor sanitary sewer releases along Minnesota Avenue from 18th to 20th Streets and is working to address the situation. Officials say the release is a result of high levels of ground water that is infiltrating the sanitary sewer from the record levels of Lake Superior. The public…

Las Vegas Shooter’s Father had Ties to Superior

Lived in Superior After He Was Born in Wisconsin

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) – While investigators in Las Vegas work to find out what motivated a one-time accountant with no known criminal history to inflict so much pain in a mass shooting, others digging into his past know his father was a notorious bank robber with ties to Wisconsin. Stephen Paddock’s father, Benjamin Hoskins Paddock, was born in Sheboygan in…

One Minnesotan Dead, Another Critically Injured in Vegas Shooting

Steve Berger (left), Phil Aurich (right) LAS VEGAS – One Minnesota man is dead and another critically wounded after a gunman opened fire at a country music festival in Las Vegas. The incident killed 59 people and injured 527 others; it was the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Minnesota native, Philip Aurich, living in Las Vegas was among…

Body Discovered Off Becks Road in Maple

MAPLE, Wis. – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has reported that the body of an adult male was discovered in a wooded area off of Becks Road in Maple Township Tuesday afternoon. An autopsy will be performed to positively identify the individual and determine a cause of death. The incident remains under investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Categories:…

Trump: Puerto Rico Put Budget ‘Out of Whack’ But Lives Saved

President Trump and first lady Melania take a walking tour with Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello, left, and his wife Beatriz Areizaga, to survey hurricane damage and recovery efforts in a neighborhood in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — President Donald Trump highlighted Puerto Rico’s relatively low death toll compared with “a real…

Minnesota Man Arrested for 28th DWI

TJ Nelson - KVRR

NEW YORK MILLS, Minn. (KVRR) – The man with the record for the most DWI convictions in Minnesota has been arrested again. It is the 28th DWI arrest for 64-year-old Danny Bettcher of rural New York Mills. An off-duty Deputy saw Dettcher drinking at the VFW before getting into his car. Another officer followed Bettcher on Highway 10 where he…

Knowing Your Neighbors: The Rambler Food Truck

DULUTH, Minn. — Wherever it’s parked for the day, there’s always a line outside The Rambler, a food truck in Duluth. Rambler owner Jonathan Reznick describes the experience from inside the kitchen: “You’re always on the go,” Reznick says. “You’re always thinking about the next move. You are in a normal kitchen as well, but there’s always places to go;…

Szechuan Sauce Back at McDonalds for One Day Only

(McDonald’s) McDonalds has announced that for an extremely limited amount of time, one day to be exact, they will be bringing back Szechuan Sauce in select restaurants. On Saturday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. select McDonald’s restaurants will be giving away Szechuan Sauce on a first-come, first-serve basis. Fans of the show Rick and Morty have been obsessing about the…

OSHA Investigating Construction Accident in Bemidji

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27, the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of an accident at a residence under construction. The incident happened in the 1600 block of Pamela Court NW in Bemidji and according to witnesses, Kemuel Beighley, 69, of Hines, Minnesota, was working on scaffolding and hanging sheetrock when he fell…

Highway Projects in Hibbing On Schedule Despite Rain

Photo: MnDOT DULUTH, Minn. – Highway projects in Hibbing are on schedule despite the rainy weather, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Paving on Highway 169 remains set to be completed by the end of the week. Next week, crews will complete pavement markings and shouldering. Traffic control will be removed once the work on Hwy 169 is complete….

Glensheen Mansion to Open Doors for Free Tours Wednesday

Wednesday: Night at the Museum

Courtesy: Glensheen MansionDULUTH, Minn. – Glensheen Mansion is opening its door to the public Wednesday, and lucky for visitors, it’s for free. This is all part of the annual Night at the Museum event. The gates will be open from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, but Glensheen officials recommend getting in line early. Other than the free,…

Fairlawn Mansion Goes Dark for October Tours; Closes Seasonal Museums

SS Meteor and Police and Fire Museum to Close for Season on Sunday

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A couple tourist attractions are closing up for the season in Superior. This coming weekend will be the last chance to tour the SS Meteor and Firehouse Museum before they close for the winter. The museums will close their doors following tours on Sunday, October 8. In turn, tours at Fairlawn Mansion are ramping up for the…

Rock Superstar Tom Petty Dies at Age 66 After Suffering Cardiac Arrest

Tom Petty of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performs during their 40th Anniversary Tour at Bridgestone Arena on April 25, 2017 in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Rick Diamond) LOS ANGELES (AP) – Rock superstar Tom Petty has died at age 66. Spokeswoman Carla Sacks says Petty died Monday night at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles after he suffered cardiac…

Richard Bong Veteran’s Center Celebrates 15 Years

"Beers and Cheers" Event Planned To Celebrate Milestone

The Richard Bong Veteran’s Center is celebrating a milestone, 15 years since the museum opened its doors. What started as a WWII museum to honor Major Richard Bong now honors all Northland veterans. They have preserved more than 10,000 items for future generations to look at, and have 2,100 names of veterans on their memorial wall. “When I look at…

Duluthians Share First Hand Experience During Vegas Shooting

LAS VEGAS, NV- FOX 21 sat down with two Duluthians via Facebook messenger earlier this afternoon, who described first hand the horrible events from last night’s attack. 28-year-old Briana Hess and 32-year-old Jolene Luczak share their story. “It started again, da da da da da da da and Jason Aldean, he kind of hesitated and then he turned around and…

Enrollment Up at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

School Plans to Add New Programs

Numbers show that more people are heading to school at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, enrollment and credit loads are up at the campus. Some of the most popular programs this year are welding, nursing assistant, business management, nursing-associate degree and criminal justice studies. Leaders at the school say enrollment recently has seen a down-ward trend, so it’s refreshing to see…

Duluth Police Adapt to Active Shooter Situations

Duluth Police say they’ve already started looking at their policies to adapt and better prepare for an attack like the shooting in Las Vegas should it happen locally. Officers say the public should be using caution, and situational awareness to prepare for the worst. “If was there what should I do? Run, hide? Each one is so different,” said Lt….

Life House Unveils ‘The Loft’ For Homeless Teens

'The Loft' will hold teens 15 to 19 years old

DULUTH, Minn. – Life House unveiled its new 10 bed emergency shelter for homeless teens Monday. Life House is an organization that provides services to homeless youth in Duluth. They held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new emergency shelter on Monday. Once all the paperwork is in order, Life House hopes to be sheltering teens by the end of October….

Little Angie’s Employees Help Co-Worker In Need

After Bobby Poirier needed emergency neck surgery, his co-workers are coming to his aid

DULUTH, Minn. – The employees at Little Angie’s in Canal Park are stepping up to help a co–worker in need. Prep cook Bobby Poirier needed to have emergency neck surgery, which left him out of commission for five weeks. His co–workers decided to help him out by donating all the tips they earned on Monday, to help bobby recover some…

Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Sold Out

DULUTH, Minn. – Registration is officially closed for the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. In less than 24 hours, all 7,500 possible entries have been filled. For the first time in 24 years, the registration process for the half marathon, was on a first come first serve basis. Open spots for the Charity Partner Program are still available. Registration is still…

Local Agencies Crack Down for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse is Partnering with Agencies in Douglas County Throughout October

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – In 2016 law enforcement in Douglas County responded to 585 calls related to domestic abuse. During the month of October their looking to spread a message of change throughout Twin Ports. Monday, elected officials along with the Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse (CASDA) in Superior kicked off a month long campaign. Authorities say over four million…

UW Regents to Adopt Free Speech Resolution, Set Up Punishment

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – University of Wisconsin System leaders are poised to adopt a policy that would punish students who disrupt speeches and presentations. Under the policy up for Board of Regents vote Friday, students accused of twice engaging in violent or other disorderly conduct that disrupts free expression of others would be suspended for at least a semester. Any…

Equifax: 2.5 Million More Americans May Be Affected by Hack

(AP) NEW YORK (AP) — Credit report company Equifax said Monday that an additional 2.5 million Americans may have been affected by the massive security breach of its systems, bringing the total to 145.5 million people who had their personal information accessed or stolen. Equifax said the company it hired to investigate the breach, Mandiant, has concluded its investigation and…