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Children Ring in the New Year With Zoo Animals

Children Used Makeshift Passports to Travel Around the Zoo "World"

DULUTH, Minn.-Children looked on in awe as Lana the Tiger stalked around her enclosure. Many kids held makeshift passports in their hands. “They go around the zoo to collect their stamps from various countries and while they’re doing that they can find out what time it is here, if it’s midnight there and they also get to learn how some…

Northlanders Stock Up on Food for New Year’s

Grocery stores are busy with shoppers preparing for this weekend

DULUTH, Minn. – Thanksgiving and Christmas have well known meal traditions, but New Year’s is also a big food holiday. Grocery stores across the Northland are busy with people stocking up on their new year’s food, and unlike other holidays, people consume a wide variety of food to kick off the new year. “After the Christmas holiday, we have a…

Fire Department Reminds Public of New Year’s Safety Issues

Leave Room on Streets for Emergency Vehicles

DULUTH, Minn.-With the New Year’s Eve on the horizon, there can be an uptick in emergency calls to police and the fire department. Members of the Duluth Fire Department said a big factor in that is alcohol consumption. The amount of people parked outside of houses for parties is another important factor to consider. “It’s a concern for us where…

Iron Rangers React to Keetac Reopening

The Mines Will Bring Back Around 200 Mining Jobs Back to the Iron Range

KEEWATIN, Minn.- There’s a collective sigh of relief across the city of Keewatin,  after U.S. Steel reached agreements to supply iron ore pellets to third-party customers, and announced the Reopening of Keetac, and the return of around 200 mining jobs back to the Iron Range. “To hear that they’re going  back and to know that they’re going back is really…

Prosecutor Decides No Criminal Charges for Gopher Football Players

Alleged sexual assault happened off-campus

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Ten suspended Minnesota football players will not face criminal charges for their involvement in an alleged sexual assault that happened off-campus. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced the decision Friday in his second look at the September incident. Freeman previously declined to charge the players in November, citing lack of evidence. A school investigation of the incident…

Wisconsin Transportation Study Considers Interstate Tollways

Walker's current plan puts WI roads on a path to worsen

MADISON (AP) – A new state transportation study finds that installing tollways on Wisconsin interstates could raise billions of dollars, but that substantial upfront investments would be needed and federal approval is uncertain. The Wisconsin State Journal reports the Department of Transportation study also finds that Governor Scott Walker’s road-funding plan for the next two years, puts Wisconsin roads on…

Fire at Piedmont Avenue Home

Three Dogs Perish

DULUTH, Minn.-A fire broke at a home on the 2500 block of Piedmont Avenue in the late morning hours of Friday, December 30, 2016. Upon arrival crews found heavy smoke coming from the basement window of a one-story single family house. Crews attacked the fire from the front and rear of the house, as a heavy fire was found in…

Oscar Mayer Plant in Madison Prepares to Close

Will permanently close in the first quarter of 2017

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The already dwindling number of employees at the Oscar Mayer plant in Madison will continue to shrink as the facility prepares to permanently close in the first quarter of 2017. The Wisconsin State Journal reports that the company produced processed meats for decades and once employed more than 4,000 people, is scheduled to close by the…

Late Fees Paid for Books Checked Out in 1970s

Calculated using the nickel a day fee form the 70s-era

ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) – A Minnesota family has given a Maryland library a check for about $1,550 to cover the late fees for two books that were supposed to have been returned more than 40 years ago. Jon Kramer, of Minneapolis, says he was searching through his deceased parents’ library last month at their vacation cabin on an island in…

Experts Offer Tips on How to Stick with New Year’s Resolutions.

Whether it's financial resolutions or losing weight, experts say to lay out specific goals.

The New Year is just around the corner and many in the Northland have been busy coming up with resolutions. Of course losing weight and being more healthy are always top resolutions, but many want to run the race to financial stability as well. The YMCA and other gyms have been busy with new members. New goals and resolutions haven’t…

Blood Drives Continue in Northland

Will be Held in Coming Months

DULUTH, Minn.- Many different locations throughout the Northland will be holding blood drives in the coming weeks run by the American Red Cross. One such location is at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepard in Duluth, where student’s from Duluth East’s Key Club came to help run the event today. Members of that group saw this as an opportunity…

New Year’s Eve Waterpark Event Scheduled for Kids

The Annual Event Returns

DULUTH, Minn.- If you have younger kids, the bars may not be an option on New Year’s Eve, but the Edge Waterpark might be. They will be hosting their annual New Year’s Eve Splash Bash which will feature a DJ, air-brush tattoos, movies, crafts, and a photo booth. There will even be a toast at midnight…non-alcoholic of course. “It’s so…

Production Set to Restart at Keetac Plant

United States Steel Announces Third-Party Iron Ore Pellet Sales Agreement

KEEWATIN, Minn.  – United States Steel Corporation announced today it has reached agreements to supply iron ore pellets to third-party customers. U.S. Steel will adjust its iron ore pellet production in order to take full advantage of these business opportunities. Within the adjustments, includes the restart of the Keetac Plant in Keewatin, Minnesota. The Keetac Plant, which has an annual…

Russia Weighs Retaliation After Obama Administers Sanctions

New sanctions were announced on Thursday

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Latest on the Obama administration’s response to Russia’s interference in the U.S. elections, which it denies (all times EST): 4:15 p.m. Republican Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham say sanctions against Russia announced by the Obama administration on Thursday are “a small price” for Russia to pay for interfering with U.S. elections. They say they’ll lead…

Red Solo Cup Inventor Dies at Age 84

Robert Hulseman invented the infamous cup in the 1970s

Courtesy: Fox 32 ChicagoNORTHFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Former Solo Cup Company President Robert Hulseman, who invented the now party-essential, Red Solo Cup, has died at the age of 84. His son, Paul Hulseman, says his father died on December 21 at his home in Northfield, Illinois, of complications after a series of strokes. The elder Hulseman invented the Red Solo…

Charles Manson Follower Seeks Parole 47 Years after Killings

Currently the longest serving female prisoner in California

Courtesy: New York TimesSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – A parole hearing has started for Patricia Krenwinkel, an accomplice of cult killer Charles Manson and the longest-serving female inmate in California. The hearing, Thursday, comes 47-year after Krenwinkel helped kill pregnant actress, Sharon Tate and six other people, including grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary. The 69-year-old has been denied parole…

With Trump Victory, GOP Hopes to Overhaul Medicaid

Democrats and Advocacy groups warn of the consequences of reducing federal spending on Medicaid

ATLANTA (AP) – With Donald Trump’s election, Republicans in Congress will have the opportunity to overhaul Medicaid, something they’ve wanted to do for years. The program provides health care to millions of lower-income and disabled Americans. Currently, the federal government pays a certain percentage of each state’s Medicaid costs. Republicans say states have little incentive to keep expenses down because…

Registration Prices to go up for Grandma’s Marathon

Set to go to $135

DULUTH, Minn.-Registration prices to enter Grandma’s Marathon will be increasing Jan. 1. The fee will go up $10 to $135. Those who registered early got the discounted price. The price will go up another 10 dollars in April. Registration for the William A. Irvin 5K and Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon is already closed. Grandma’s Marathon weekend will be held June…

Minnesota Officer Fired for Hitting Teen, Now Reinstated

Video showed the officer to have hit a Somali-American teen in 2015

RICHFIELD, Minn. (AP) – An arbitrator has reinstated a Minnesota police officer who was fired after a Twitter video appeared to show him hitting a Somali-American teen last year. Richfield police say the arbitrator reversed Nate Kinsey’s termination Wednesday. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and special prosecutor reviewed the case and declined to charge Kisney, but the 10-year department veteran…

Wisconsin Flu Cases on Rise

161 Flu Cases Reported

MADISON, Wisc. (AP) – Wisconsin health officials say flu cases are on the rise and they are urging people to take precautions like getting a flu shot. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services said Wednesday there have been 161 influenza cases so far this season, and 95 hospitalizations, including eight children and 78 adults age 50 and older. Of those…

Wisconsin DNR Removes Wording Saying Humans Cause Climate Change

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The State Department of Natural Resources has quietly removed language from its website that stated humans and greenhouse gases are the main cause of climate change. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the website now says the cause of climate change is debatable. Gone are sentences attributing global warming to human activities and rising carbon dioxide levels….

2016 Year in Review: October through December

The last months of the year saw headlines like Bob Dylan winning a Nobel prize to the close 8th district race between Nolan and Mills.

The last few months of the year saw Duluth’s first homicide of the year to Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen resigning to the extremely close 8th district race between Rick Nolan and Stewart Mills. Hibbing native and Duluth-born Bob Dylan received the Nobel prize in literature in October. Dylan is only the second Minnesotan to receive the award. In honor of…

Maintaining Sidewalks in Winter

Duluthians must clear snow from sidewalks in front of their properties

DULUTH, Minn. – Snow and ice have taken over most of the northland….and that means it’s shovel season. All over the region, people are shoveling and sprinkling salt to keep their sidewalks snow and ice free. “Year after year it always comes around and we know it’s coming,” says a Duluth shoveler. Sidewalks all over Duluth are covered with ice…

DTA Offering Free Rides on New Year’s Eve

Buses will run their normal Saturday routes, but will be free between 5 p.m. and 2:20 a.m.

The Duluth Transit Authority is bringing back free rides on New Year’s Eve on their buses in Duluth and Superior. The buses will run their normal Saturday routes and will be free from 5 p.m. to 2:20 a.m. “What we’re trying to do is promote safety for everybody. People can still go out and have a good time and take…

Shoveling Safety Tips

Local chiropractors busy with Northlanders shoveling snow and ice

SUPERIOR, Wis. – While you’re out shoveling snow this winter, make sure to do it safely so you don’t end up in a doctor’s or chiropractor’s office. As people work to break apart ice and lift and throw snow, it puts a lot of pressure on their backs. That’s why, after winter storms, local chiropractic offices are packed with people…

Explosive Device Located in Superior

Device was moved to disarm and preserve evidence

SUPERIOR, Wisc.-An explosive device was found yesterday by the Superior Police Department with the help of the Marathon County Bomb Squad. Superior responded to a suspicious package at the 2000 block of East Seventh Street at about 12 p.m. The packaged looked like it was either a backpack or duffel bag and had items sticking out of it. A perimeter…

New Vietnamese Restaurant Opens in Superior

Restaurant Features Pho

SUPERIOR, Wisc.- Pho Cali Vietnamese Noodles Restaurant has been jam packed in Superior ever since it opened Dec. 17. The restaurant specializes in the Vietnamese noodle soup which can be filled with everything from beef to seafood. Owner Andy Tran, originally from Vietnam, saw a need in the area for restaurant. “Mostly I see only Chinese restaurants, so OK so…

City Crews Battle Difficult Road Conditions

Ice-Packed Roads Fill Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.- The roads are still quite slick out there, even though city of Duluth crews have been out in full force. Currently city crews have been putting in a lot of hours as they try to dig up the ice that has been compacted down. Over the next few days there are plans to clean up the residential areas….

Dayton Discusses Twin Metals Decision

Possible Trump Reversal in Future

ST. PAUL, Minn.- Gov. Mark Dayton says the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine is “stymied” but he’s not ready to declare it dead yet despite moves by his administration and the Obama administration that dealt serious blows to the project. Dayton says he expects Twin Metals and supporters to try to persuade the Trump administration to reverse the Obama administration’s…

Monaghan Drops Out of Superior Mayor’s Race

Will Support Candidate Kalee Hermanson

Jeff Monaghan is dropping out of the Superior mayoral race. “Due to personal reasons, I am discontinuing my campaign for Mayor of Superior,” he said in a prepared statement. “By next Tuesday, Jan. 3… I anticipate not having the 200 signatures required to be placed on the primary ballot. Still, I intend to participate in the election and vote for…

St. Louis River Alliance to Celebrate Year of Accomplishments

St. Louis River Alliance Looks Toward Bright Future in 2017

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis River Alliance (SLRA) will be hosting their annual Clean Water Open House and Celebration on Thursday, December 29, from 5:00p.m. until 6:00p.m. at Valentini’s Vicino Lago, located at 1400 London Road in Duluth. The SLRA works to restore, protect, and to enhance the St. Louis River. The celebration will recognize SLRA members and supporters…

Salvation Army Surpasses Donation Goal

Superior Salvation Army Bings in Almost $63,000 in Red Kettle Campaign

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Duluth Fire Department aren’t the only ones ready to help those in need this holiday season. The Superior Salvation Army is too, as they topped their fund–raising goal this year. The salvation army raised almost $63,000 through their red kettle campaign, shattering their goal of $50,000 for this season. They think good weather was a factor…

Animal Answers: Bright Future for Friends of Animals

Friends of Animals Humane Society Named Best Animal Rescue Shelter in Minnesota

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Friends of Animals Humane Society in Cloquet was named Best Animal Rescue Shelter in Minnesota. The award is given out from the producers of the Hollywood, California based Official Best Of production company. Numerous volunteers along with kind-hearted employees help keep the shelter running. Friends of Animals will be moving in May of 2017, to their new…

Suspicious Device Found in Superior

Duffel Bag Contained Possible Explosives

Superior Police Department officers were dispatched to a suspicious package in the 2000 block of E 7th Street Tuesday afternoon. Someone had left a duffel bag with items sticking out of it. The object was later determined to be an explosive device or made to look like an explosive device. Officers called out for a bomb squad, the Marathon County…

2016 Year in Review: July through September

Summer storms, the Tall Ships festival, and Jacob Wetterling's remains being found were some of the top headlines of July through September 2016.

FOX 21 is taking a look at some of the top headlines of 2016 from July through September: The $30 million Pier B Resort opened in the Duluth harbor with the Silos restaurant. However, it wasn’t all summer fun as the region saw storm damage all over the Northland from flooding and washed out roads near Ashland to high winds…

Fishing Experts Offer Ice Fishing Tips

Experts say ice picks can be the cheapest and most effective ways to keep yourself safe on the ice.

The Minnesota DNR says that there’s no such thing as ice that’s 100% safe. They say caution and preparation can keep anglers and others from skating on thin ice. Spencer Otis has been out on frozen lakes to ice fish since he was twelve. “I like to fish all the time, it’s my passion. I do it more than anything,”…

Salvation Army Short of Reaching Fundraising Goal

The Group is Looking to Raise $42,000 More

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle and Bell Ringing is Iconic to Christmas time, and the Holiday Fundraiser is crucial to fund many of the programs ran by the Salvation Army throughout the year, and is their biggest source of money. This year, the Salvation Army had the goal of raising $625,000 but are currently around $42,000 short of reaching that goal….

Lutheran Social Services Still Looking for Diapers

The Diapers Will Go to Families in Need

The Lutheran Social Services have been hosting a diaper drive through December, but as the year comes to a close, they’re still looking for more donations. LSS had the goal of raising 25,000 diapers to stockpile a year’s worth of diapers for families in need, but they are around 13,000 short of reaching their goals. LSS is especially in need…

Kids Learn to Ski at Spirit Mountain Holiday Camp

Participants Range from Ages 5 to 16

Some Kids got their new skis and boards out, or even learned how to ski for the first time at Spirit Mountain. The Ski Hill teamed up with Team Duluth for a Holiday Camp to get kids outside. Skiers and snowboarders of all levels, from first timers to advanced, are practicing their skills on the hill and the terrain park…

Snowmobile Season Begins in Minnesota

Northlanders Can Finally Hit The Trails

FINLAND, Minn.- Snowmobiling is one of Minnesota’s favorite recreational sports, and this season has lacked a little luster. However, now that the temperatures are down and the snow is finally here, its time to hit the trails. Avid snowmobiler Scott Rose says, “It’s ahead of schedule compared to last year. I think last year we really didn’t get out until…