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Advocates Honored For Efforts Surrounding Homelessness In Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. — The annual conference focusing on the issue of homelessness and housing continued Tuesday at the DECC with an awards ceremony. Each year the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless recognizes efforts made by groups or individuals for their commitment to end homelessness across the state. Awards were presented to 6 recipients. The American Indian Community Housing Organization, or…

Downtown Duluth Study: 2,500 New Housing Units Possible Within 5 Years

DULUTH, Minn. – A downtown Duluth housing study shows the potential for as many as 2,500 new housing units within the next five years. It’s a welcomed projection for a downtown that’s seen undesirable vacancy rates since the pandemic, like other cities have experienced across the country. The outside firm, Zimmerman-Volk Associates, presented its findings publicly Tuesday, which shows downtown…

Duluth Playhouse Now Owns The Historic NorShor Theatre

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Playhouse — one of the nation’s oldest non-profit theatres — has officially been handed the key to the historic NorShor Theatre as the new owners of the state-of-the-art facility. Sherman Associates, the developer that took on the $29.5 million overhaul of the theatre in 2017, officially closed its chapter on the project Tuesday with a…

Volunteers Needed: ‘Bentleyville Tour Of Lights’ Setup Begins Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. — Believe it or not, it’s time to talk Christmas and Bentleyville Tour of Lights! On Tuesday, some of the storage trucks and equipment – even some decorations — were already in the parking lot at Bayfront Festival Park. The first day of volunteering starts this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.  That schedule will continue every…

Superior Mayor Calls 2024 Budget Proposal The Best In Decades

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior Mayor Jim Paine is touting his 2024 budget proposal as the largest public investment in the city in decades. Mayor Paine on Tuesday said the city is well positioned to invest in city services and public infrastructure, while decreasing taxes. Paine said the growing local economy, a restructured budget he and his predecessor designed to function…

Moose Lake Correctional Facility Prepares Inmates to Rejoin Society

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. –The Moose Lake Correctional Facility held a Transitions Resource Fair today to help its inmates prepare for life on the outside and the challenges they will face. According to the Facility’s Warden, this program has been ongoing for more than two decades and has proved to be successful. Bringing experts into the prison to talk with inmates…

United Auto Workers Threaten To Expand Targeted Strike If There Is No Substantive Progress By Friday

(AP) — The United Auto Workers union is stepping up pressure on Detroit’s Big Three by threatening to expand its strike unless it sees major progress in contract negotiations by Friday. In a video statement late Monday, UAW President Shawn Fain said workers at more factories will join those who are now in the fifth day of a strike at…

Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College Holds Inauguration Ceremony For New President

CLOQUET, Minn. — An inauguration ceremony was held Monday for the 5th president of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Anita Hanson was named president by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities in June. Hanson has been with the college since 1994. She has served as the Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment…

Klobuchar, Stauber Call On FAA To ‘Expedite’ Approvals For New DLH Air Traffic Control Tower

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber have joined forces to help rebuild Duluth’s aging air traffic control tower. The two have sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his team to urge the FAA to expedite any reviews and approvals necessary for the Duluth International Airport to pursue a federal grant to help get a…

Homeless Advocates Convene At DECC As Another Duluth Encampment Is Pushed Out

DULUTH, Minn. — Another growing homeless encampment in Duluth got torn down and moved out Monday. It comes as local and state leaders try to strike a balance between public health and safety, and caring for those facing their worst days without a roof over their heads. The lack of affordable housing in Duluth continues to be highlighted by the…

Shots Fired Investigation Underway In Two Harbors

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — Two Harbors police are investigating a “shots fired” incident near townhomes. Police responded to the Rustic Creek Townhomes around 7 p.m. Sunday for the report of gunshots. Police called in assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office to conduct a search of the immediate and surrounding…

Duluth Police: Bar Fight Between 2 Women Ended In Assault By 2 Men

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department issued an update Monday involving an assault of a woman at the Rustic Bar in West Duluth. Investigators reviewed surveillance video from inside the bar, which they say shows two females getting into a physical fight with each other before two men get involved by assaulting the 39-year-old female victim. The woman went…

Hunter Biden Sues The IRS Over Tax Disclosures After Agent Testimony Before Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden sued the Internal Revenue Service on Monday, claiming that two agents publicly alleging tax-probe interference wrongly shared his personal information, a case that comes amid escalating legal and political struggles as the 2024 election looms. The agents “targeted and sought to embarrass Mr. Biden” with the sharing of confidential tax information in press interviews and testimony before Congress, the…

Planned Parenthood Resumes Offering Abortions In Wisconsin After More Than A Year

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Planned Parenthood resumed offering abortion services in Wisconsin on Monday after halting them for more than a year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Providers across the state stopped offering abortions following the June 2022 decision, fearing enforcement of an 1849 state law that appears to ban the procedure but had previously been nullified…

Officials Say 5 Prisoners Sought By The US In A Swap With Iran Have Flown Out Of Tehran

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Five prisoners sought by the U.S. in a swap with Iran flew out of Tehran on Monday, officials said, part of a deal that saw nearly $6 billion in Iranian assets unfrozen. Despite the deal, tensions are almost certain to remain high between the U.S. and Iran, which are locked in various disputes, including over Tehran’s nuclear program. Iran says…

Sheriff: Darkness, Speed, Alcohol Factors In Lake Vermilion Boating Accident

LAKE VERMILION, Minn. — Nighttime darkness, speed and alcohol are believed to be contributing factors in a boating accident on Lake Vermilion over the weekend, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said two people from the Twin Cities were vacationing on Lake Vermilion when their pontoon slammed into Rainbow Island. The female passenger was thrown from the…

State Patrol Asks For Public’s Help In Itasca Co. Fatal Hit-And-Run

The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a hit-and-run in Itasca County that killed a pedestrian. The incident happened between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday on Highway 6 between Highway 2 and County Road 19 near Deer River Township. The State Patrol is asking anyone with information about the incident to call the Virginia District Investigator at (218) 735-3729. Officials…

Women’s Course Record Broken At 2023 NorthShore Inline Marathon

DULUTH, Minn. — The weather was perfect for this weekend’s NorthShore Inline Marathon — the largest of its kind in North America. Tone Coughlin Photography The 26.2-mile course is much like the course for Grandma’s Marathon, starting in Two Harbors and taking racers along the Scenic North Shore before entering the tunnels of I-35 and ending by the DECC. The…

Uncovering The History Behind Some Of Duluth’s Historic Properties

DULUTH, Minn. — Several of Duluth’s historic buildings opened up for self-guided tours on Sunday. Within all six locations, people had the chance to explore the nooks and crannies of some of Duluth’s most elegant architecture. One stop was the Anton C. & Mary Weiss house in the Congdon Park neighborhood. The house was originally built in 1927, and housed…

Brats and Beer! Duluth’s Oktoberfest Wrapped it’s 4th Year

DULUTH, Minn. — A celebration of beer, brats, and German traditions wrapped up this weekend in Duluth. The 4th annual Oktoberfest took place at Bayfront Festival Park, the three-day celebration of German culture. People enjoyed and experienced traditional German food, drinks, and live music. The event was for all ages, closing on Sunday was family day. Families enjoyed a wide variety…

Duluth Artist Creates Ship Drawings

  DULUTH, Minn. — Ships in the shipping canal in Duluth have always gotten Jim Mattson’s attention, ever since he was a boy. “From the back window of our house, you could see the land and the bridge, and the ships would go in and out all the time. I would get my binoculars and just watch them all the…

Model Railroad Returns to the Duluth Depot

DULUTH, Minn. — All aboard!!! The Minnesota Free-Mo Modelers brought back the annual model train event to the Duluth Depot this weekend. Dozens of builders created their own designs to connect together to make a model railroad track that was 1:87 scale. From city-scapes to the country side the model had detail you could only see close up, from stop…

Pick Your Own Pumpkin At Farmer Doug’s

DULUTH, Minn. — It is the opening weekend for pick your own pumpkin at Farmer Doug’s in Duluth. The farm has 3 acres of pumpkins. All ranging from big pumpkins perfect for carving to pie pumpkins, gourds, and squash. And even with the lack of rain we’ve had this summer, the pumpkins were able to survive and grow. Co-owner Doug…

Ground Breaking for New Senior Apartment Complex in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Duluth broke ground on a new senior apartment project Friday. Skyridge Flats will be a 70 unit apartment complex for seniors 55 and up. The project will cost around 19 million dollars, with 14 million coming from Housing Infrastructure Bonds from Minnesota Housing. The rest is funded through the Duluth HRA…

Biden Sending Aides To Detroit To Address Autoworkers Strike, Says ‘Record Profits’ Should Be Shared

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday dispatched two of his top aides to Detroit to help resolve the strike by unionized autoworkers, expressing sympathy for the union by suggesting that the Big 3 automakers should share their “record profits.” “No one wants to strike,” Biden said in brief remarks at the White House. “But I respect workers’ right to…

Duluth’s Arbor Day Shines Light On Public Orchards

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s apple picking season, or at least it is in sixteen different parks around Duluth. As part of Duluth’s Arbor Day, the Duluth Parks and Recreational team is informing the public about public orchards. There are twelve different varieties of apples within the 16 parks with public orchards. And one park even has a cherry orchard. “Around…

Duluth Central Exhibit Reception At The Depot

DULUTH, Minn. — After several historic items from Duluth’s Central High School were auctioned off this past summer. Duluth Central Alumni Association was able to salvage many of the items from the auction for all to enjoy. Those artifacts became part of an exhibit honoring the school. Even though the school has been closed down since 2011 the Duluth Central…

Planned Parenthood To Resume Offering Abortions Next Week In Wisconsin, Citing Court Ruling

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Planned Parenthood announced Thursday that it will resume offering abortions in Wisconsin next week after a judge ruled that an 1849 law that seemingly banned the procedure actually didn’t apply to abortions. The resumption of abortions Monday at clinics in Milwaukee and Madison comes as the lawsuit challenging the state law continues in county court. It is expected…

Coffee Conversation: Brain Injury Survivor Shares Story in Honor of ‘Walk for Thought’

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance will host its annual Walk for Thought event on Saturday, Sept. 16 in Duluth and in the Twin Cities/New Brighton. Brain Injury Survivor and Walk for Thought Honoree Jon Wiggins shared his story of recovery on the FOX21 morning newscast. St. Luke’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit Admissions Coordinator Amanda Johnson also weighed in…

Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank Raising Awareness For Hunger Action Month

DULUTH, Minn. — September is Hunger Action Month and one food bank in Duluth is raising awareness. Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank hosted a “behind the scenes” tour of their distribution center to show their agency partners and donors what they do, as well as the impact they have on our community. The nationwide campaign raises awareness, food and…

Hibbing Man Sentenced To 8.5 Years For Girlfriend’s Death

A Hibbing man who admitted to killing his girlfriend in 2022 will spend the next 8.5 years in prison for the crime In August, Eric James Jarvis, 47, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in connection to the death of 43-year-old Kari Jo Petrich. Police arrested Jarvis in June of 2022 after he called 911 about the woman’s death. When police…

Senator Tina Smith Talks Housing

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Senator Tina Smith held a hearing this week on the lack of housing nationwide and ways the housing situation could be improved. Smith is the Chair of the Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. She says the housing shortage is not a new issue, it’s been happening and growing for the past 30 years. Smith…

Why No Vikings vs Eagles Over-The-Air Broadcast in the Northland?

League rules don't allow it. FOX21 cannot carry the game.

Many excited Minnesota Vikings fans are making plans to watch Thursday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. And, because FOX21 broadcasts so many football games all season, we are being asked if we are going to air the Vikings/Eagles game. Unfortunately, the answer is no. But it’s not our choice! We are not allowed to broadcast the game. The NFL’s…

Hunter Biden Indicted On Federal Firearms Charges In Long-Running Probe Weeks After Plea Deal Failed

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden was indicted Thursday on federal firearms charges, the latest and weightiest step yet in a long-running investigation into the president’s son. Biden is accused of lying about his drug use when he bought a firearm in October 2018, a period when he has acknowledged struggling with addiction to crack cocaine, according to the indictment filed in federal…

Love Gala to be Held Thursday

DULUTH, Minn. — Being a foster parent can be difficult. Oftentimes, the caregivers need support, a break, or even just someone to talk with. That’s where Duluth-based “New Hope for Families” steps in to help. The non-profit started in 2019. It’s all about creating a supportive community for all adoptive and foster children and families. Thursday night, New Hope for…

Local Domestic Violence Shelter Asking For Winter Gear Donations

DULUTH, Minn. — As the weather starts getting colder, a domestic violence survivor shelter in Duluth is asking for the community’s help by donating. Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center serves 7 counties in northern Minnesota providing services to more than 15-hundred people annually. The shelter is asking for people to donate by going through their Amazon Wishlist. The Wishlist…