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National Tourism Rally in Duluth

Tourism is a Leading Contributor that Helped Shape Duluth's Economy.

It’s National Tourism Week and of course the tourism industry stands out in Duluth. Some say, it’s thanks in part to one man, whose efforts were celebrated at the Visit Duluth Annual Meeting and Luncheon on Tuesday. Tourism in Duluth all started with Grandmas Marathon and ever since, events like Blues Fest, the air show and much more has helped…

Heroes Honored for Saving Friend

Beau Foix and John Marcella Acted Quickly to Save Cody Herrmann

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Cody Herrmann is lucky to be alive and lucky he has quick thinking friends like Beau Foix and John Marcella. “It still hasn’t hit me, what could have happened,” he said. In the early morning hours of October 1st, the boys were getting set to leave from this boat dock for a little duck hunting.  That’s when…

Graffiti-Filled Lighthouse Gets Painted Over

DULUTH, Minn. – There was new information Tuesday involving the disturbing graffiti spray-painted all over one of the historic lighthouses in Canal Park. The Army Corps of Engineers put a fresh coat of white paint on top of the graffiti. A top official with the Duluth Army Corps of Engineers says the U.S. discussions are now underway to form a…

7 West TapHouse Expanding Near Miller Hill Mall

New Location: 2510 Maple Grove Road

DULUTH, Minn. – Five years after launching 7 West TapHouse in downtown Duluth, and most recently on Tower Avenue in Superior, the fast-making burger machine is expanding near the Miller Hill Mall. “I sat up here and counted the number of cars one day, and the number is ridiculous,” said Rick Lampton, owner of the 7 West businesses in the…

SOAR Career Solutions Recognizes Hired Clients at Celebration

The non-profit has helped employ 11,000 people since it started in 1980

  DULUTH, Minn. – SOAR Career Solutions recognized the hard work of its newly hired clients. The Duluth-based career planning center held its 2nd Annual Reach Hire! Celebration & Fundraiser Tuesday night at Zeitgeist. SOAR has been in the community since 1980 and has helped more than 11,000 individuals gain employment. The non–profit organization works with people of all backgrounds…

Curtis Oil Sells SuperAmerica Franchise In Duluth Area

All But One Location To Stay, Including All Employees

DULUTH, Minn. – One of Duluth’s oldest gas station groups has been sold.  But the dozens of employees – some of more than 30 years – are staying put. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reported Tuesday that Curtis Oil has made a deal to sell eight of the nine franchise SuperAmerica gas station in the Northland to SuperAmerica Corporate. Curtis Oil…

Superior Firefighters Undergo Stress Tests for Heart Health

St. Luke's is Partnering with Superior Fire Department, After a Federal Grant Allows for Free Stress Tests

DULUTH, Minn. – A federal grant recently received by the Superior Fire Department is going toward improving the quality of health for firefighters. Tuesday morning, firefighter Cameron Vollbrecht responded to his stress test appointment at the St. Luke’s Regional Vascular Center. Experts are using the tests to take a closer look at lung capacity and heart rate under intense situations….

Nettleton Back on Market

Deal Fell Through to Turn Old School Into Senior Housing

DULUTH, Minn.-The sale of the vacant Nettleton Elementary has fallen through once again. Duluth Schools were hoping United Properties would follow through on buying it and turning it into senior housing. District officials are telling us now, that they are putting it back on the market as they hope for another buyer. Around 60 units would have gone into the…

New Housing Opportunities Coming to Cloquet

Low-Income and Mid-Income Housing Coming to Cloquet

CLOQUET, Minn.-Cloquet is expecting to add some additional housing to their community over the next year. City officials told us today there are plans in the works to add 12 single-level homes along the Cloquet golf course, which would be for middle-income families. “It’s a great opportunity… we’re adding these units which we think are going to create move-up, move-down, types…

Vandals Damage Hibbing Fire Trailer

Trailer is Used to Teach Area Kids Fire Safety

HIBBING, Minn. – Hibbing’s Fire Department is having trouble spreading its message of fire safety to area kids. Last winter someone broke into the fire department’s safety trailer, causing damage to the interior and exterior, and stole equipment used in fire safety presentations. Hibbing’s Fire Marshal says getting the trailer up and running again will cost between $3,000–5,000, but it’s…

Construction Starts on Hibbing Roundabout

Work Will be Finished in the Fall

HIBBING, Minn. – The city Will soon have A roundabout at a busy intersection. Work started Tuesday on a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. Rt. 169 and MN-37. Traffic is limited to one lane in each direction for the next two weeks while crews work on a cross–over. The roundabout should be finished in the fall. Categories: News, News…

Trump Fires FBI Director James Comey

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump abruptly fired FBI Director James Comey Tuesday, saying it was necessary to restore “public trust and confidence” in the nation’s top law enforcement agency following several tumultuous months. “The FBI is one of our nation’s most cherished and respected institutions, and today will mark a new beginning for our crown jewel of law enforcement,”…

University of Wisconsin-Superior Hosts Sexual Assault Awareness Discussion

UWS speak out against sexual assault

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – While Sexual Assault Awareness Month is in April, folks over at the University of Wisconsin-Superior are continuing the conversation, and bringing more awareness to the issue. UWS was the host for the “Speak Out Superior: Changing the Culture and Engaging New Voices. Trained advocates were on hand to talk with the community about ways to prevent sexual assault,…

Classes, Activities Cancelled at Gransburg High School Following Threats

GRANSBURG, Wis. – Grantsburg High School cancelled all classes and activities Tuesday following a threat on social media. The Grantsburg Superintendent released a letter to parents and the public stating that the district was notified just after 7 a.m. about a social media post that stated a student had intentions to become a school shooter. As a result, classes were…

2 Formally Charged in Duluth Apartment Drug Bust

Search warrant executed in the 100 block of N 30th Ave W

Tyjuan Hill (left) and Rachel Fenzel (right)Photo: St. Louis County DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department reports that on Monday, May 8, the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force executed a search warrant at an apartment in the 100 block of North 30th Avenue West. The search warrant was a result of an investigation into the suspected…

Oregon on Track to be First State with No Gender on License

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon is on track to become the first state to allow residents to skip a gender identity on their driver’s licenses and identification cards. Transgender residents say the change would make them feel safer. The Oregonian/OregonLive said Tuesday, the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles doesn’t oppose the change and will hold a hearing Wednesday in Portland….

Prosecutor to Appeal Hernandez Conviction Ruling

FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) – Prosecutors say they will appeal a ruling erasing former NFL star Aaron Hernandez’s conviction in a 2013 murder because he died before his appeal was heard. Judge Susan Garsh ruled Tuesday that Hernandez’s conviction must be dismissed under longstanding case law in Massachusetts that says a conviction is not final under a court has decided…

Teen’s Plea for Free Wendy’s Nuggets Sets Retweet Record

Retweeted more than 3.4 million times

RENO, Nev. (AP) – A Twitter plea form a Nevada teen for a year of free chicken nuggets from Wendy’s is now the most retweeted post of all time. Carter Wilkerson asked the fast food chain on Twitter last month how many retweets it would take for him to get free nuggets for a year. Wendy’s replied, “18 million.”  …

Mayo Clinic Now Offers Gender Reassignment Surgery

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) – Mayo Clinic says its surgeons have performed the first gender reassignment surgery in Rochester. Doctors helped Michael Keller of Rochester transition to Marisa Ann Bella in a nearly six-hour procedure. The 1980 Rochester Lourdes graduate was on eof the first patients to enroll in Mayo’s Transgender and intersex Specialty Care Clinic when it opened more than…

Bill to Limit Election Recount in Wisconsin Advances

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A bill that would have prevented Wisconsin’s presidential election recount is gaining momentum in the state Legislature. The Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections voted 6-3 to send to the full Assembly a Republican proposal that would limit who can request recounts in state and local elections. Under the bill, only candidates who trail the winner…

Prosecutors Charged Man with Breaking into Wisconsin Capitol

Charged with criminal damage to property and entry into a locked building

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Prosecutors have charged a Beloit man with breaking into the state Capitol. Twenty-seven-year-old Zachary Bigelow was charged Tuesday with criminal damage to property and entry into a locked building. According to a criminal complaint, police discovered a broken window in the first-floor of the Capitol bathroom and blood throughout the building Saturday morning. They found another…

Montessori Could be Moving to a New Location

MRM hopes to make the old Cobb School building their home for the 2018-19 school year

DULUTH, Minn. – Cobb Elementary in Woodland could soon be the new home for Many Rivers Montessori. Many Rivers has signed a purchase agreement with Woodland Hills, which currently owns the building. The move, which the Montessori hopes to make by the fall of 2018, would triple the campus size for the school. Their current campus, which is for for grades…

Verizon Shows off Technology for Mother’s Day Gifts

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’re on the hunt for a Mother’s Day gift, Verizon Wireless is hoping to help. This morning, Solutions Specialist Rachel Agurkis visited FOX 21 to talk about some options for mom. Google Home: Answers questions, googles anything hands-free, plays music, plays games. To purchase, head to verizonwireless.com. Wireless Soundsport Bose Headphones: Sweat resistant, versatile uses. To purchase,…

Carpet Removed to Reveal Original Wood Floors at Glensheen

Red Carpet Had Been in Place for 40 Years

DULUTH, Minn. – Glensheen Mansion is revealing some old floors that look brand new. The red carpet has been removed from the basement to unveil the original woods floors throughout the level. The work was done throughout the month of April. The wood was refinished with a natural stain. This is the first time since the 1970s that this basement…

40 Years of Paint Removed from Glensheen Room

Stenciling Unveiled in Alfred's Room

DULUTH, Minn. – History is being revealed at Glensheen Mansion in Duluth. Hard work is bringing life back to the walls of Alfred’s room. After 40 years in hiding the original stenciling in Alfred’s room is on full display at the mansion. “We really strive to make it feel like it was in 1910,” said Jane Pederson, Marketing Manager for Glensheen….

House Fire Spreads Next Door in Lincoln Park

Duluth Fire Causes Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in Damage

DULUTH, Minn. – A house in Duluth went up in flames Monday night and the fire spread next door. The Duluth Fire Department got a call at 10 p.m. for a structure fire at 2008 W. 3rd St. While en route, firefighters were notified of possibly trapped occupants. Upon arrival we found heavy fire coming from the rear of the house…

Knowing Your Neighbor, Buffalo Valley Campground

Campground Has Many Amenities

It’s almost time to get the kids, load up the camper and head to your favorite camp ground. The family could be sitting around a campfire, eating s’mores and not having a care in the world. Sound nice? In this week’s Knowing Your Neighbor, we take you to Buffalo Valley Campground that sits just miles from Duluth. Buffalo Valley campground has…

Council Decides To Table ‘Local Authority’ Resolution

Resolution Would Allow City More Local Control

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth city council was undecided on a resolution Monday night that would perhaps give the local government more localized power to make decisions. But multiple city council members felt the resolution could potentially cost the city of Duluth millions of dollars in bonding money for future projects if the council moved forward with the resolution. The…

Mother Pleads For Answers In Unsolved Hit and Run

Scott Christensen Was Killed Seven Months Ago

Seven months after losing her son, one Iron Range mother is hoping someone out there can help her find closure. Rita Licari wants answer about what happened to her son, Scott Christensen the night he died. Investigators say Christensen was hit and killed on Highway 100 near Aurora sometime before 4 a.m. Oct. 2 of 2016, but they still don’t…

Duluth School Board Questions Proposed Cost of Playground Mulch Removal

The $1.2 million bid was twice the amount estimated by the consultant working with the district

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School Board met Monday as part of a business committee meeting to discuss a controversial topic that’s been going on for the last couple years. The issue stems from safety concerns brought up by parents, regarding the rubber mulch used at the district’s nine school playgrounds. Concern was shared among board members about the proposed…

Historic Canal Park Lighthouse Covered In Graffiti

Army Crorp Plans To Repaint The Lighthouse Tuesday

DULUTH, Minn. – The beacon of all lighthouses in Canal Park has been heavily defaced with loads of graffiti. This comes just as tourism season is beginning in the city of Duluth. The layers of black spray paint and marker could be found Monday all over the historic South Pier, which has the red roof and is down the pier…

Meeting Held for Updates on Belknap Street

Business Owners Were Able to Ask Questions and Learn About the Project

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Business owners and partners gathered for a Public meeting that discussed updates on the Belknap street construction in Superior. In Monday’s meeting, business owners who could be affected by the construction had the chance to ask questions on road closures, and what streets would be available for customers to use to get to the businesses. When finished, the Belknap…

Farmer’s Market Open for the Season

It's Open Wednesday and Saturday

  DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Farmer’s market has finally opened their doors for the season. The market opened last Saturday, and will be open every Wednesday and Saturday until September. Farmers bring products like locally grown flowers, produce, honey, and maple syrup to the market, where customers can meet the farmers face to face, and learn exactly where their food…

Food Trucks Hit the Streets

The Rambler is Out and About 7 Days a Week

DULUTH, Minn.-  A Food Truck, the Rambler, was out serving lunch for the first time this season. The Rambler will be out seven days a week to offer their dishes like Mahi Mahi tacos or Reuben fritters to people looking for a quick lunch. The food truck will be visiting different businesses and organizations throughout the week. The owners of the…

1921 Original Coney Island Up For Sale

Future Of Longtime Restaurant Up In Air

DULUTH, Minn. – One of downtown Duluth’s oldest restaurants is up for sale. We’re talking about the Original Coney Island on 107 E. Superior Street. The classic restaurant has been serving up conies, burgers and malts at its current location since 1921. Owner Steve Sola, who bought the business in 2008, told FOX 21’s Dan Hanger Monday that no sale…

Sipress Speaks Out Against Bills Threatening Duluth’s Sick and Safe Time Leave Efforts

Councilors Will Discuss the Resolution During the City Council Meeting

DULUTH, Minn.- The Minnesota state House and Senate have passed bills that could take away cities like Duluth’s ability to set new public policies that differ from the state’s. Duluth’s City Council is expected to discuss a resolution asking Governor Mark Dayton to not sign the bill into law, during the city council meeting on Monday. City councilor Joel Sipress says the bill…

New X-Ray Lab Helps Enhance Animal Health

The Lake Superior Zoo Recently Received Updated X-Ray Equipment, an Upgrade from the 1970s

DULUTH, Minn. – Staff at the Lake Superior Zoo spent their Monday morning working with new equipment donated to them. The Zoo’s Burmese Python, Monty, was lucky number one to receive routine X-rays thanks to St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. St. Luke’s recently donated a $50,000 dollar machine to the Zoo after replacing it with newer diagnostic equipment in their…

LISC Celebration Held in Duluth

Program Focused on Housing, Schools, and Jobs

DULUTH, Minn.-The Duluth Branch of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation held its annual celebration today. LISC gathered together numerous business and public officials to talk about the future of Duluth. Subjects discussed including housing, the schools, and the workforce. “What we’re doing today is celebrating what’s been done and talking about how we move forward and do more,” said Pam Kramer,…

Two Men Cited for Jumping into Giraffe Pen at Como Zoo

Photo: Como Zoo ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9 KMSP) – Two 23-year-old men who were reportedly intoxicated scaled a fence and jumped into the giraffe exhibit at Como Zoo in St. Paul, Saturday afternoon. Officers were called to Como Zoo around 5:42 p.m. after security officers found the two men inside the exhibit. The men told police that they jumped…

Bill Would Create Exemption for Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A bipartisan proposal creates an exemption to Wisconsin’s sex offender registry for teenagers ages 15 to 18 who are convicted after having consensual sex. State law make sit a crime for two people under the age of 18 to have sexual contact, regardless of consent. Republican Rep. Joel Kleefisch and Democratic Representative Fred Kessler have written…

Over 65,000 Pounds of Medications Collected in Wisconsin for Drug Take-Back Day

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Department of Justice says a preliminary tally shows people around Wisconsin may have turned over a record amount of unused medications during a drug take-back day in April. The DOJ says preliminary estimates show 66,039 pounds of medications and more than 300 receptacles around the state during drug take-back events April 29. The record…

Trump Tabs Minnesota Justice for Federal Appeals Court

Justice David Stras MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) –  President Donald Trump has nominated Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice David Stras to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Stras formerly clerked for conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and shares the belief in a limited role for the judiciary. The 42-year-old former University of Minnesota Law School professor was on…

Duluth Airshow In Need of Volunteers

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Airshow is on the hunt for 100 more volunteers to assist with this year’s event. With the show just three weeks away, volunteers are needed to assist with concessions and parking. Public Relations Co-Director Jodi Grayson stated, “The volunteers we need do not need to have any sort of special skills. They really just need…

Tree Removal Project Scheduled on Highways 200 and 169

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation has scheduled storm-damaged tree removal in Itasca and Aitkin Counties. The project will take place on Highway 200 from Hill City to approximately six miles east on Highway 169 from Hill City to approximately three miles north. The work will require lane closures in both directions, Monday through Friday between 6:30 a.m. and…