Great Outdoors: Fat Tire Bikes and Cross-Country Skiing
Northlanders Enjoy the Trails at Lester Park
In this week’s Great Outdoors we explore the world of winter biking and skiing.
News – Latest News
Superior Bar Sells Special Drink to Celebrate Betty White’s 95th Birthday
95 cents of each drink was given to the Douglas County Humane Society
SUPERIOR, Wisc. – “Golden Girl” Betty White turned 95 years old today and one local bar held a party in her honor and helped out a good cause at the same time. For Betty’s big day, the Spirit Room in Superior donated 95 cents from each sale of their “Betty White Russian” drink to the Humane Society of Douglas County….
Group of Superior High School Students to Attend Inauguration
The six students are part of the federally-funded Upward Bound program through UWS
SUPERIOR, Wisc. – President-elect Donald trump will officially be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend, including a group of six students from Superior High School. The students are part of Upward Bound, a federally funded program through the University of Wisconsin Superior. On Thursday morning,…
Water Levels on Lake Superior at Normal For ‘Mild’ Winter, Experts Say
DULUTH, Minn. — Temperatures have been up and down since winter began, but how about the water levels on Lake Superior? Dr. Bob Sterne, director of the Large Lakes Observatory at University of Minnesota Duluth says week to week temperature changes don’t have too much effect on lake water balance, but overall winter weather patterns do. Dr. Sterner says in…
Officers, Subject Identified in Hibbing Officer-Involved Shooting
ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified two officers in an officer involved shooting incident that happened last Friday in Hibbing. Captain Kurt Metzing is a 19-year veteran with the Hibbing Police Department and Officer Cody Loewen has been with the Hibbing Police Department for three years. Both officers fired their…
Duluth’s Global Village Settles into New Location in Canal Park
Ahead of Superior Street Reconstruction, Global Village of Duluth Relocates to Bigger Space
DULUTH, Minn. – The owner of Duluth’s Global Village is working on settling in after switching locations nearly two months ago. Rachel Mock says she’s sinking into the honeymoon phase, enjoying every day in her new Canal Park location. “It’s all brand new so we’re really learning as we go and taking it as it comes,” said Mock. Global Village sells…
Highway 53 Relocation Ahead of Schedule
New highway expected to open in November
VIRGINIA, Minn. – Last fall, work began on the Highway 53 relocation project near Virginia. Plans call for the new roadway to be open to traffic this November. But so far, the work is moving along. The colossal new Highway 53 bridge towers above Rouchleau Pit near Virginia. “You’re looking at the completed span of the bridge now. We got…
Local Tanning Salon Seeing Spike in Customers
Northlanders Looking to Fight the Winter Blues are Turning to Tanning
DULUTH, Minn. – Whether you’re taking a trip or just trying to manage your mood this winter, local tanning salons across the Northland are seeing a spike in business. “The base of customers this time of year just increases dramatically, almost day–by–day,” said Chris Verhel, Owner of AJ’s Tanning in Duluth. This time of year many customers can be referred to…
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Vandalized
Memorial Vandalized
UW-Madison Suspends Fraternity for Serving Minors
The fraternity is suspended until March 1
MADISON (AP) – University of Wisconsin-Madison officials have suspended a fraternity chapter for serving alcohol to minors. The university announced, Tuesday, that the Sigma Chi chapter will be suspended until March 1 after the Committee on Student Organizations found the chapter violated the Student Organization Code of Conduct. According to the university news release, the fraternity served or permitted the…
Wisconsin Republican Senator Circulates Marijuana Extract Bill
MADISON (AP) – State Senator Van Wanggaard is circulating a bill that would make possessing a marijuana extract used to prevent seizures legal, in Wisconsin, with a doctor’s certification. Parents of children who suffer from seizures have been pushing for legislation that would allow them to use CBD oil to ease the symptoms. A similar bill passed the Assembly last…
New Faces Breathe New Life into Debate on Sunday Liquor Ban
ST. PAUL (AP) – Fresh faces at the Legislature and an extra push from a powerful politician have Minnesota’s ban on Sunday liquor sales in the crosshairs again. It’s been a perennial topic at the Capitol for years, but efforts to remove it have routinely failed. Minnesota is one of just 12 state with a Sunday sales ban, but a…
Dayton Announces $350M in Federal Funds for Water Quality
Will provide direct funding to MN farmers, while working to protect and improve waters in 54 Minnesota counties
ST. PAUL – Governor Mark Dayton, today, January 17, signed an agreement with the United State Department of Agriculture, to secure $350 million in federal funding to protect and improve waters in 60,000 acres across 54 Minnesota counties. The new state-federal effort, the Minnesota Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), will target areas of southern and western Minnesota facing significant water…
Wisconsin State Senate Passes Bill to Help Cheese Plant
MADISON (AP) – The Wisconsin state Senate has passed a bill extending tax incentives to help a cheese distributor. The Senate unanimously passed the bill Tuesday that is designed to assist with Plymouth-based Masters Gallery Foods building of a $30 million cheese packaging and distributing plant in the village of Oostburg. The bill would allow Oostburg, in Sheboygan County, to…
Obama Cuts Short Chelsea Manning’s Prison Sentence
She is just one of 209 inmates being granted a shorter sentence
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama is commuting the prison sentence of Chelsea Manning, the former Army intelligence analyst who leaked classified documents. The White House says Manning is one of 209 inmates whose sentences Obama is shortening. Manning is more than six years into a 35-year sentence for leaking classified government and military documents to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks….
Minnesota Extends Subsidized Health Care Coverage
Coverage extended to those participating in deportation reprieve programs
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota is the fourth state in the nation to extend subsidized health care coverage to those participating in the Obama administration’s deportation reprieve program. The Star Tribune reports that this month the state opened subsidized health coverage to recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which gives short-term work permits and deportation stays to…
Appeals Court Upholds Provisional Release of Sex Offender
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The state Court of Appeals has upheld a judicial panel’s decision to provisionally release a man from the Minnesota Sex Offender Program. Jesse Lee, formally known as Dennis Wisinger, pleaded guilty in 1976 to kidnapping and raping a woman in Ramsey County. He was civilly committed and asked for a provisional discharge from the sex offender program…
Three Duluth Projects are Finalists in Knight Cities Challenge
MIAMI – The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation today, January 17, 2017, announced 144 finalists, including 3 in Duluth, in the third annual Knight Cities Challenge, a national call for ideas to make the 26 communities where Knights invests more vibrant places to live and work. Applicants were asked to answer the question: What’s your best idea to…
Registration Opens for Boulder Lake Ski Race
14th Annual Ski & Snowshow Race
BOULDER LAKE, Minn. – An annual race is getting winter sport enthusiasts out on the trails. The Boulder Lake Ski Race hosts competitive Nordic skiers and snowshoers. For the 14th annual event, organizers are doing things a little differently. This year, registrations is opening just a week before the race using a method called “flash” registration. Race Director, Clayton Keim,…
UW-Superior Upward Bound Students to Attend Presidential Inauguration
Students were selected from an essay application process
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Six local high school student members of the Upward Bound program at the University of Wisconsin-Superior are gearing up for an opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. for the presidential inauguration of Donald J. Trump, on Friday, January 20. These students were selected from a competitive internal essay application process that took place in October. In their application…
Congressman Duffy Holds Town Halls In N.W. Wis.
Affordable Care Act Was A Main Topic
SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. – Republican Congressman Sean Duffy made his way across parts of northwest Wisconsin Monday. Duffy hosted three town hall meetings in in Butternut, Cable and Solon Springs. Fox 21 was in Solon Springs and talked to Duffy about what Republicans plan to do with the Affordable Care Act. “I want to know what the heck is going…
Seasonal Affective Disorder and Blue Monday
A lack of sunshine can cause depression. Area psychologists see a spike of clients in mid-January.
SUPERIOR, Wis.-Psychologists have named the third Monday in January as Blue Monday. It’s supposedly the gloomiest day of the year based on debt, weather, and the post holiday blues. Seasonal affective disorder is often times the culprit. It’s caused by the shift in the day and night cycles and can begin as early as October or November. A lack of…
Residents Look for Answers After Apartment Explosion in Rice Lake
A Rice Lake man was killed when he set off an explosion inside his apartment.
RICE LAKE, Wis.- A Rice Lake man is dead after police say he followed through on his threat to blow up an explosive device in his apartment. Authorities received a 911 call late Sunday night from 44-year-old Joseph Zunker. He told police that he had a bomb and would blow up his apartment building. Police acted within minutes and saved…
Families Enjoy Warmup Outside on MLK Day
Many students and parents both had the holiday off together Monday
DULUTH, Minn. – Lots of families took advantage of the above average temperatures today. Bayfront Park’s outdoor rink was filled with families out on the ice. With many students out of school and parents off work for MLK day, it was the perfect opportunity to spend some time together outside. “It’s really sunny, it’s nice,” said Sonya Bombardieri. “It’s a…
Pledge to Volunteer Campaign
The food bank is looking for volunteers for the year.
DULUTH, Minn.- The Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank has kicked off their Pledge to Volunteer campaign. The effort hopes to attract new volunteers and increase the food bank’s support system. Northern Lakes relies on many volunteers to sort and label food and assist with programs like their food shelf and senior programs. Northern Lakes provides donated food for nearly…
ATV Accident Leaves Teen in Critical Condition
FREDENBERG TOWNSHIP, Minn. – On January 16, 2017, around 3:00 p.m., the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, along with area volunteer fire departments, responded to an ATV crash involving a 13-year-old male driver near the 6500 block of Stevens Road in Fredenberg Township. The involved driver, Logan Rautio, was air-lifted to a Duluth hospital in critical condition. The operator was…
2016 Shipping Season Coming to a Close
Coal and Iron Ore Shipments Went Down, Grain Shipments Saw Record Numbers
DULUTH, Minn. – The 2016 shipping season is coming to a close, with the last Last Laker of the Season, the Lee A. Tregurtha arriving in the Twin Ports earlier today. Duluth Seaway Port Authority representatives say this year’s shipping season was a bit steady. Though grain shipping saw record numbers, The Iron Ore shipments didn’t pick up until the…
Hundreds March for Martin Luther King Jr.
It's a Celebration of the Civil Rights Leader's Life and Legacy
DULUTH, Minn. – Kids made posters and signs with hand written messages, as they prepared for the Martin Luther King Jr. March in Duluth. It’s in honor of the iconic civil rights leader who peacefully fought for racial equality in the 50’s and 60’s. “He gave his life and dedicated himself to the community, so that we can walk…
Gene Cernan, Last Astronaut to on the Moon, Dies at 82
(AP) – Former astronaut Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, has died at age 82. NASA announced that Cernan died Monday, surrounded by his family. NASA spokesman Bob Jacobs confirmed the death, but had no immediate details. Cernan and Apollo 17 crewmate Harrison Schmitt spent three days on the moon in December 1972. As he followed…
Search Canceled for Father, Toddler Swept into Ocean
NORTH BEND, Ore. (AP) – The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a father and his young son who were swept into the sea by a wave along an Oregon beach. The agency, along with Oregon State Police and other responders, searched unsuccessfully Sunday and Monday for 31-year-old Jayson Dean Thomas, of Elmira Oregon, and his 3-year-old son. Thomas…
State Leaders Push for More Progress at MLK Day Celebration
ST. PAUL (AP) – Hundreds of Minnesota residents have marched through downtown St. Paul, to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Afterward, city and state leaders spoke at the Ordway Center on Monday about the progress the country has made, as well as the inequalities that still exist. Speakers included U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, St. Paul Mayor Chris…
DOJ Says KleinBank Used Discriminatory Lending Practices
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The United States Department of Justice has sued a Minnesota bank for allegedly engaging in mortgage lending practices that discriminate against minorities. In a lawsuit filed Friday, the DOJ says KleinBank engaged in “redlining.” The DOJ says that’s when banks will actively deny or avoid providing credit services to consumers because of racial demographics or because of…
Trump Calls on Americans to Honor Dr. King
ATLANTA (AP) – Civil rights leaders and activists are gathering around the country to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. In a message sent on Twitter on Monday, Trump said: “Celebrate Martin Luther King Day and all of the many wonderful things he stood for. honor him for being the great man that he was!” As American’s celebrate…
U.S. Official Says Orlando Nightclub Shooter’s Widow has been Arrested
Facing charges in Florida
WASHINGTON (AP) – A U.S. law enforcement official says the FBI has arrested the wife of the Orlando nightclub shooter. The official says Noor Salman was taken into custody in the San Francisco area, Monday morning, and is due in court Tuesday in California. She’s facing charges in Florida including obstruction of justice. The official was not authorized to discuss…
Man Killed After Setting Off Apartment Explosion
Officers tried to make contact when he set off the explosion
RICE LAKE, Wis. (AP) – Authorities have confirmed that a man was killed after he followed through on his threat to explode a bomb in his apartment building, in a small northwestern Wisconsin community. Rice Lake police say 12 to 14 residents were evacuated before the explosion and subsequent fire that destroyed the one-story building Sunday night. Police Captain Tracy…
Kids Show Off Skiing, Snowboarding Skills At Chester Bowl
It's the 2nd Race Out of 6 This Season
DULUTH, Minn. – Ava Hehir, 9, hasn’t been skiing for too long, but she competes at the races held at Chester Bowl where children of all ages under 17 show off their skiing and snowboarding skills and compete for time. “I love racing,” said Ava. The beautiful day and clear skies made a perfect back drop for the 2nd annual….
Position Cuts, Mission Shift Lead To Scaled-Back DNR
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Scott Walker promised to reshape the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources before he took office — and he has. Now more even changes could be in store as Walker and his fellow Republicans continue to push the agency further toward what the governor has called a customer service foundation. The last six years have seen…
New U of M Search Tool Makes Black History More Accessible
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The University of Minnesota Libraries, in partnership with the Penumbra Theatre Company, has launched an online search tool to make black history more freely available. Umbra Search provides access to over 400,000 digitized archival materials documenting African-American history from more than 1,000 libraries, archives and cultural heritage institutions across the United States. Director Cecily Marcus says it’ll…
Nikki’s Notebook: Students Support Classmate After Surgery
Masks Worn to Show Support for Kiarra
After a 7th Grader at Lincoln Park Middle School was teased for wearing a mask after a major surgery, other students stepped up to show she’s not alone.
Grand Rapids Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing Tree Tops
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A Grand Rapids man has pleaded guilty to cutting thousands of tree tops from black spruce in the Chippewa National Forest. Seventy-year-old Joseph Edminster pleaded guilty Friday in U.S. District Court to one count of theft of government property. Prosecutors say he admitted to cutting more than 2,700 tree tops from the forest from October…
Growing Number of Minnesota Seniors Use Food Stamps
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Data from the state Department of Human Services shows the number of older Minnesotans who use food stamps is on the rise. Last year, a record 58 percent of eligible seniors in Minnesota were enrolled in the program. That’s more than 50,000 people. And those ages 65 or older are now the fastest-growing segment of food stamp…
Minnesota State Fair Admission Rising In 2017
FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (AP) – The cost for admission to the Minnesota State Fair is going up by $1. The State Fair announced Sunday that it will now cost $14 for those ages 13 to 64 to enter the fair, while seniors and children ages 5 through 12 will be admitted for $11. Kids under 5 can still get into…
Superior Mayoral Candidates Race on Sleds
Candidates Have Fun Before April Election
SUPERIOR, Wis. – The four Superior Mayoral candidates took time off the campaign trail for a stop on a sledding trails. The candidates kept the competitve spirit going by racing down a hill on sleds. The winner was Kalee Hermanson who hopes to see the same result in April’s election. “Any one of us that makes it into office is…
Guns n Hoses Hockey Game
Superior Police and Fire Department Lace Up Their Skates
Superior, Wis The Superior Police Department has small feud with the Superior Fire Department after the fire department edged them in the Guns and Hoses softball game this past summer. Now they’re meeting on the ice. During the superior ice festival both departments will lace up their skates and leave everything out on the ice. The actual game its self…
Friday the 13th is a weird day
Many have a phobia of the number 13
You might have noticed the full moon the last couple of days. Add that and the fact that’s its Friday the 13th and you get just a weird day Many people being superstitious on day like today have a different outlook. “Friggatriskadekaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th. It’s a superstition much like a black cat crosses your path…
29th Annual Wedding Expo
Hundreds of vendors set up at the DECC
Duluth, Minn If your near the DECC and hear wedding bells that’s because it’s the 28th annual Wedding Expo tomorrow. If you’re in the process of getting married this is the place you need to be. You’ll be able to find anything you could think of for your wedding like dresses, makeup, DJ’s, food, venues and the list goes on…
Unsuccessful Hack on City of Ashland Website
The manager of the city's website believes that it was the target of an unsuccessful hack.
The manager of the city of Ashland’s website believes that hackers tried unsuccessfully to get into the city’s computer system. “This type of activity is only going to continue,” said Eric Nelson the owner of SlickRockWeb which manages the city’s website. Nelson noticed a spike in the amount of traffic from Russia and eastern European countries to the city’s website…
Finding Natural Remedies for Body Pain During Cold Winter Months
Holistic Healing Methods Could Be What the Doctor Ordered
DULUTH, Minn. — For people suffering from joint pain or other chronic pain, the extreme cold in winter can make certain symptoms even worse. At Duluth Natural Medicine and Chiropractic, several natural remedies are recommended to help relieve body pain during these frigid months. Massages or regular chiropractic visits come to mind, as well as light and laser therapy. Dr….
Girls Youth Hockey Tournament Begins in Duluth
One of the Largest Youth Hockey Tourneys in the Nation
DULUTH, Minn. — Girls hockey is alive in Duluth this weekend – sixty teams from all around the region are here for the “Icebreakers Invitational.” Games began at 11:00am Friday morning; the tournament pits teams from Minnesota, and as far away as Wisconsin, Illinois, and Canada, in a round-robin style tournament. Girls ages 8 to 16 have the opportunity of…
Tips for Your Phone in the Cold
Keep in Warm Places
DULUTH, Minn.-With the bitter cold temperatures hitting the Northland over the last few months many Northlanders are tired of dealing with day to day outdoor activities. That cell phone that you are holding in your hand right now, along with its battery, feels the same way too. One local expert told Fox 21 that the cold can be brutal on…
