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Two Harbors Heritage Days: 4 Days of Fun!

TWO HARBORS, Minn.–Two Harbors heritage days kicked off yesterday, and the party is scheduled to continue all weekend. Today is day two of the annual event. This festival boasts a four-day arts and crafts show, stage entertainment, a street dance, and two parades. With all the activities and events, there’s something for everyone. The fun brings in thousands of locals…

New Owners Same Passion: ‘Happy Critter Farms’ Opens Beloved Strawberry Fields

CARLTON, Minn.– As of last year, the beloved former ‘Finks Berry Farm’ out in Carlton took on new owners. They’re tasked to take care of 11 miles of strawberry fields. ‘Happy Critters Farms’ introduced a plethora of pollinator plants, and they stay away from insecticides. And with this new opportunity, they had big shoes to fill. “So last year we…

ALLETE sale now just one step away

  DULUTH, Minn. – In May of 2024 ALLETE, the company that runs Minnesota Power and Superior Water, Light and Power of Wisconsin along with other energy related companies announced it reached an agreement to be acquired. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) offered to pay $6.2 billion for the company. But before the deal…

Air Quality Alert issued for all of Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. & ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for all of Minnesota. The alert runs until 9 a.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025. The highest levels of alert are for Northern Minnesota. That includes the areas to the north of the Alexandria, St Cloud, and Hinkley. Heavy ground-level smoke from…

Rice Lake expected to name Acting Mayor

UPDATE: The City of Rice Lake says in a news release they still consider Suzanne Herstad to be Mayor until her resignation letter is presented at their Monday, July 14 city council meeting.  The news release says if the letter is accepted which it “most likely” will be, then Jayme Heim would officially become Acting Mayor. Heim was selected to…

One Roof Community Housing Awarded 10k Grant

DULUTH, Minn. — One Roof Community Housing received a ten thousand dollar grant today. Members Cooperative Credit Union in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines awarded the grant from the Member Impact Fund. FHLB Des Moines created the fund to partner with not-for-profit organizations that focus on affordable housing and community development. Members has worked with One…

Coffee Conversation: Taste Twin Ports to Take Over Bayfront Festival Park Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. — Taste Twin Ports, formerly known as Festival by the Lake, is set to take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Bayfront Festival Park. Pez Davilla and Joe Macor, the co-hosts of the Taste Twin Ports podcast and the creative minds behind the event, joined FOX 21 live on the Friday morning newscast to share more details….

Mama Duck Hatches Ducklings In Essentia Health Courtyard For Third Time

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A mama duck recently hatched ducklings in the courtyard at Essentia Health in Superior. But because it’s enclosed, the only way out is to prop open a few doors and let her do the rest by guiding her babies to safety. Melissa Walrath and her fellow co-workers in Outpatient Surgery took this video. Melissa says this is…

Professional Athletes Prepare for First-Ever Superior High Dive Challenge

DULUTH, Minn. – While tall ships are the main attraction, the Festival of Sail also brings the first-ever Superior High Dive Challenge. People gathered behind the DECC and aboard the tall ships to watch the competitors practice their high dives from the 65-foot platform. This open practice session helps the professional athletes prepare for the individual events tomorrow and the…

Port Authority: Closure Of CHS Superior Terminal Is ‘Disappointing Blow’

SUPERIOR, Wis. – “Disappointing blow.”  Those are the words from the Duluth Seaway Port Authority about the shutdown of one of the Twin Ports oldest and largest grain shippers. Employees at the CHS Superior Terminal told FOX 21 they were notified Thursday that they will be out of a job on Sept. 8. The grain facility has been operating at…

Scammers posing as St. Louis County Planning and Zoning Office

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is warning about a new scam appearing in people’s in-boxes. St, Louis County Seal The Sheriff’s Office has “taken numerous calls” about scammers are sending invoices via email that claim to be from St. Louis County Planning and Zoning. The invoices demand money be wired to various locations. The Sheriff’s Office…

Duluth Transit Authority General Manager to retire

DULUTH, Minn. – After a nearly 40-year career with the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA), General Manager Rod Fournier has announced his retirement. Rod Fournier Fournier’s last day will be on July 24th. He began as a part time Bus Operator in August of 1988, working in Dispatch, Supervisor, and Scheduling roles. Fournier became Director of Operations, which laid the groundwork for…

APP strike begins, bargaining stalled by legal review

  DULUTH, Minn. — Today, July 01, 2025, marks the start of the Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) striking at Essentia. APP’s joined the picket lines at the Duluth, Superior, and Virginia locations. Negotiations are currently off the table as Essentia awaits a legal review from the National Labor Relations Board. The MNA proposed creating the APP bargaining unit in a…

Acute Care Nurses Approve Agreement with Essentia

DULUTH, Minn. — Acute Care nurses at Essentia have voted to ratify the agreements made last week. Nurses voted on the agreement Wednesday, July 9, 2025. The agreement includes provisions that will give nurses more scheduling predictability and flexibility. It also provides a nearly ten percent increase in pay spread over the next three years. RELATED: Minnesota Nurses Association Nurses…

Parking ramp behind St. Louis County Courthouse in Duluth closing for repairs

  DULUTH, Minn. – The parking ramp behind the St. Louis County Courthouse in Duluth will be temporarily closing for repairs. The ramp is off of Third Street. Beginning Monday, July 14, the ramp which connects by skywalk to the rear of the St. Louis County Courthouse in Duluth, will close for scheduled maintenance. The closure for resurfacing work is expected…

MNA Labor Relations Field Manager to run for Congress

DULUTH, Minn. – Chad McKenna has announced he will be running for Congress. Chad McKenna McKenna says he’ll be running for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District – the seat currently held by Pete Stauber. In a news release McKenna said. “I’m running for Congress because Pete Stauber has stopped working for us – his constituents… He seems more focused on appeasing…

Coffee Conversation: Annual Nordlager & North Star Chapter Show in Cloquet

CLOQUET, Minn. — Beer lovers, collectors, and nostalgia enthusiasts, mark your calendars — the Nordlager Beer Show is happening this Friday and Saturday, July 11–12, at the Northeastern Hotel. Bert Whittington and none other than Hammy the Bear joined the morning newscast on Thursday, July 10, to talk about this fan-favorite summer event: the Nordlager & North Star Chapter’s Annual…

DNR K9 Team Demonstrates Zebra Mussel Detection

DULUTH, Minn. – The Two Harbors, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ newest K9 team gave a demonstration at McQuade Harbor, showcasing how they utilize a detection dog’s powerful sense of smell to locate invasive zebra mussels on boats. Conservation Officer Cassie Block was recently partnered with Jet, a specially trained four-year-old black lab. Jet is one of the Minnesota DNR’s…

Twin Ports Celebrates its First Disability Pride Event

DULUTH, Minn.– Across the state of Minnesota, numerous disability pride events have been celebrated. And now, advocates felt it was time for the Twin Ports to join in. “The reason we’re doing this, is we want to celebrate disabilities, their contributions to our community, we’re here to stay. It doesn’t discriminate,” said Amanda Crosby, Executive Director ‘Arc Northland’. Around the…

Harbor City International School Wins Innovation Award

  DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s own Harbor City International School has won an award that recognizes its learning approach. The school won the 2025 Minnesota Charter School Innovation Award. The award highlights the hands-on learning approach that Harbor City prides themselves on. Three times a year, students are offered immersive sessions, ranging from sailing, to winter survival skills. Last year…

Minnesota State Fair Foods Announced!

ST. PAUL, Minn. — This year’s lineup of savory, sweet, and downright strange foods at the Minnesota State Fair have been announced. They’ve announced the lineup of new foods, as well as a list of new vendors. The Fair runs from August 21st through Labor Day. Afro Bean Pops Afro Deli Savory deep-fried bites of ground black-eyed peas, onions, jalapeños,…

Aerial Lift Bridge and Minnesota Slip Bridge to have special hours during Festival of Sail

DULUTH, Minn. – The Aerial Lift Bridge and Minnesota slip bridge will have special lift schedules during Festival of Sail. On Thursday, June 10, 2025 the Parade of Sail will travel under the Aerial Lift Bridge. The parade is scheduled to begin at 11:00 am and end around 1:00 pm. During the Parade of Sail, the public should expect longer…

Cars crash in front of Tortoise&Hare Footwear

DULUTH, Minn. – A car crashed right in front of the Tortoise&Hare Footwear store Wednesday morning. Duluth Police tell FOX21 at approximately 8:50 a.m. on July 9, 2025, Duluth Police responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of North 40th Avenue West and Grand Avenue. Initial information shows a vehicle was traveling southbound on 40th Ave W. The other vehicle, traveling…

LSC Awarded Grant to Develop Unique Program for Students with Disabilities

DULUTH, Minn. — Lake Superior College has received a significant grant to support the development of a new Program for Accessible College Education, called PACE for short. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education awarded LSC over $185,000. LSC is one of only three grantees awarded funding statewide. According to the press release, this is the first program of its kind in…

Video shows 2024 Duluth Drive-By Shooting; Suspect Sentenced

DULUTH, Minn. – Doorbell video shows a 2024 Lakeside/Lester Park drive-by, where a man shot at his brother’s home. In doorbell footage, obtained by FOX 21, 43-year-old Justin Lee Miller is seen rolling to a stop in his truck on Sep. 22, 2024, and firing one shot into his brother’s Lakeside/Lester Park neighborhood home. The bullet struck the bedroom of…

Nonprofits Gather to Address Concerns Over Federal Funding Cuts

DULUTH, Minn. – 23 local nonprofits gathered for a press conference to address the potential impacts of federal budget cuts. Chum, Second Harvest Northland, Safe Haven, One Roof Community Housing, and 19 other local nonprofits outside Representative Pete Stauber’s office in Hermantown to address the concerns of potential federal cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other social safety net programs supported…

Minnesota Nurses Association Nurses at Essentia Health Begin to Strike

DULUTH, Minn.– Tuesday morning, at multiple locations around the Northland, more than 290 Essentia Health nurses and health care professionals with the Minnesota Nurses’ Association are making their voices heard. “Since issuing our strike notice, we have offered to meet every single day, and Essentia has declined every single time, only offering two meetings this month, we are here demanding…

Rice Lake Mayor Suzanne Herstad Resigns

  RICE LAKE, Minn. – Rice Lake Mayor Suzanne Herstad has resigned. In a news release, Mayor Herstad’s resignation letter was quoted saying, “Serving this remarkable community has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together during my time in office, and I leave hopeful in a future of…

UW System Proposes Tuition Increase for 25-26 School Year

WISCONSIN — Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman today announced a proposal to increase tuition for undergraduates by up to 5%. The proposal would see a 4% increase at all universities, and an optional 1% additional increase. All universities except UW-Green Bay intends to take the optional increase. UW-River Falls is seeking an additional increase to support student success initiatives,…

St. Louis County waiving permit fees for wildfire rebuilding

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Board has voted to temporarily waive the fees associated with land use and septic permits for those trying to Jenkins Creek fire in the distance. Camp House fire in the forefront. rebuild after the 2025 spring wildfires. They are waiving permit fees through January 4, 2026. It’s specifically for replacement of structures and…

Minnesota AG Keith Ellison joins states challenging Trump immigration enforcement

Fox News (From Video) Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is joining a multistate coalition calling for a halt to what he says are unconstitutional immigration raids. Ellison and attorneys general from 17 other states have filed an amicus brief in support of plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the Trump-era immigration enforcement practices in Los Angeles. The case, Vasquez Perdomo v….

Travelers may no longer be required to remove shoes before boarding a plane

  (AP) – For the first time in almost 20 years, travelers may no longer have to take off their shoes during security screenings at certain U.S. airports. The Transportation Security Administration is looking to abandon the requirement, according to media reports. If implemented, it would put an end to a security screening mandate put in place almost 20 years ago,…

Juicy Lucy Festival adds bold flavor to Valleyfair this summer

Valleyfair Food lovers and thrill-seekers have a brand new reason to visit Valleyfair this weekend. The Twin Cities’ biggest amusement park is introducing the Juicy Lucy Festival—a sizzling tribute to Minnesota’s iconic cheese-stuffed burger. Running July 12–13 and July 19–20, the Juicy Lucy Festival features bold new twists on the classic burger. Festival highlights include unique creations like the Minnesota…

Coffee Conversation: Festival of Sail Returns to Duluth July 10-13

DULUTH, Minn. — The Festival of Sail Duluth returns to the city this week, July 10-13, with an exciting new addition: a high dive competition. Festival organizer Craig Samborski and Owen Weymouth, national event coordinator for USA Diving, joined Fox 21 on the morning newscast with more. The annual celebration brings maritime history to life with towering ships, deck tours,…

Cloquet DWI Suspect headbutted Nurse at Hospital – Charges

CLOQUET, Minn. – A man arrested for DWI, is accused of also headbutting a nurse at Cloquet Memorial Hospital. Kash Steven Ankarlo, 34, of Esko, is charged with offenses including fourth-degree assault on a hospital personnel, escape from custody, and child endangerment, in relation to an incident on July 3, in Cloquet. According to court documents, Cloquet Police were called…

2nd Annual Music on the Ship Returns

  DULUTH, Minn. – The William A. Irvin is set to host a free concert series for the second time. This August, a free, family-friendly concert series will be held every Thursday evening on the historic freighter’s spar deck, offering unbeatable views of the Aerial Lift Bridge and Lake Superior. People are welcome to arrive early, as the shows have…

High Dive Platform Tested for the First Time

  DULUTH, Minn. – Earlier today, the high dive platform was completed just in time for the first test dive. The diving platform was fully assembled this evening over at the DECC, allowing Owen Weymouth, the USA diving national event coordinator, to perform the first test dive while bystanders watched in awe. The test dive assured that the platform is…

Temporary Wildfire Waste Collection Site Now Open in Brimson

BRIMSON, Minn. — St. Louis Environmental Services has opened a temporary solid waste collection site in the Brimson area for residents to dispose of fire damaged materials. The temporary transfer station is expected to handle scrap metal, burn debris, wood structures, shingles, brick and concrete. Those items will be accepted free of charge. Liquids, trees and brush will not be…

Fire Damages Longtime Manufacturing Plant In Floodwood

FLOODWOOD, Minn. — Firefighters in Floodwood remained on the scene Monday after a large fire ignited Friday at a longtime business. Courtesy: Northland Fire Wire The fire broke out around 10:30 p.m. Friday at the Mat, Inc. facility on Highway 2. When firefighters arrived, they encountered an 18,000-gallon propane tank with 40-foot flames, according to the Northland Fire Wire. A…

Tiffany, Stauber, and other members of Congress send letter to Canadian Ambassador about wildfire concerns

WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Tom Tiffany (WI-07) and Pete Stauber (MN-08) along with other members of Congress sent a letter to Canada’s Ambassador. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R) Wisconsin It urged stronger forest management practices to mitigate wildfire risk after consecutive years of heavy smoke blowing south from Canada to Minnesota and Wisconsin. It read in part, “We know a key…