Minnesota

Homecoming Week at UMD Features Bulldog Country Fair

DULUTH, Minn. — The weather may have impacted some events on Friday, but it did not dampen the homecoming spirit at UMD’s Bulldog Country Fair. Three food trucks lined Ordean Court, including; Oasis, The Iron Waffle and Johnny B’s. Other outdoor activities were cancelled due to rain. This event is a part of UMD’s homecoming week celebrations. The purpose is…

Improvements to Chester Park Playground Honor Late Barry Family

DULUTH, Minn. — “Today we are recognizing the contributions of family and friends who contributed, donated, fundraised to make improvements to the Chester Park playground in honor and memory of the Barry family,” said Jessica Peterson, Duluth Parks and Recreation Manager. The lives of the Sean, Rianna, Shiway, and Sadie Barry were tragically taken, along with their dog in April…

Charges Filed in Rustic Bar Brawl

DULUTH, Minn.  — The Duluth Police Department has completed its investigation into the bar fight that occurred at the Rustic Bar in West Duluth on September 12th. You may recall that a 39-year-old woman was beaten by two men in the bar after she had a confrontation with another woman. According to a news release from the police department, the…

Spirit Mountain Summer Season Recap

DULUTH, Minn. — The summer season has wrapped up for Spirit Mountain and soon it will be their busy winter season. The mountain’s interim executive director says summer revenue is about a third of their earned revenue. Summer activities have grown over the years with more mountain bike trails added and being one of 6 gold rides declared by the…

Bentleyville’s 128-Foot Iconic Tree Struck By Vandals

DULUTH, Minn. — Disappointment from the crew at Bentleyville Tour of Lights, which has become victim again to vandals before it’s even set up for the season. Vandals destroyed thousands of dollars of cords and equipment from the 128-foot Bentleyville tree. Crews noticed the damage while starting to set up Bayfront for the popular display. The tree structure was stored…

Eight Duluth Busineses to Receive $3,500 to Help Revitalize Downtown and Canal Park

DULUTH, Minn. –More than a half-dozen downtown Duluth businesses have landed storefront grants of $3,500 each. The grants are designed to improve the lighting, storefront, and patio space of the businesses to help revitalize downtown. The companies receiving the grants are Dubh Linn Pub; Anchor’s End Tattoo, Rabbit, Bird & Bear; Duluth Coffee; Joseph Nease Gallery; Hamilton Monroe & Co.;…

St. Luke’s and United Steelworkers Local 9460 Reach Tentataive Agreement

  DULUTH, Minn. — St. Luke’s has announced that it and United Steelworkers Local 9460 (USW) have reached a tentative contract agreement. The agreement covers technical workers at St. Luke’s. The USW will bring the tentative one-year contract to its approximately 140 members for their vote in the near future. In a statement on its website, USW Local 9460 said…

Lake Superior Area Realtors Host Housing Forum For City Of Duluth Candidates

DULUTH, Minn. — Lake Superior Area Realtors hosted a housing forum for City of Duluth candidates Wednesday. Over 10 candidates participated including both mayoral candidates Emily Larson and Roger Reinert. Topics included housing affordability, rent, homelessness, among others. The forum is a way for the community to learn more about each candidate and their plans for housing in Duluth. “Lake…

Minnesota Governor Walz Visits Iron Range To Highlight Investments

IRON RANGE, Minn. — Wednesday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz visited the Iron Range to highlight a few state investments. Walz first stopped by the Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing, a Hibbing company that is expanding and bringing more jobs to the community. The next stop was in Chisholm to visit a construction site for a new public safety center. Walz signed the…

Longtime Grandma’s Marathon Employee Retires

DULUTH, Minn. — A Grandma’s Marathon Director retires after an illustrious 40-year career. When Linda Hanson announced her retirement from Grandma’s Marathon, Executive Director Shane Bauer knew it would be difficult to fill her shoes. She officially served as the Finance and Operations Director, but Bauer says she did much more. She planned and organized the Michelina’s Spaghetti Dinner, which…

Coffee Conversation: St. Luke’s Discusses Importance of Healthy Aging

DULUTH, Minn. — September is healthy aging month, a nationwide observance dedicated to empowering older adults by promoting the positive features of aging. St. Luke’s Family Medicine Physician Dr. Addie Vittorio joined FOX21 on the newscast on Thursday to talk about the importance of people taking control of their health as they age. A few things Dr. Vittorio highlighted include; prioritizing a…

Council Approves Wage Increase for Duluth Firefighters

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Firefighters Local 101 is feeling some relief after finding out firefighters will receive a wage increase the start of the upcoming year. The Duluth city council passed a resolution Monday for an 8% market\-rate adjustment for the firefighters. This was in response to a study finding their pay came in last for fire departments in the…

Train Collides Crashes Into Logging Truck In St. Louis County

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — A truck driver was recovering from his injuries Wednesday after being struck by a train in Ault Township. The accident happened around noon Wednesday in the 1800 block of Brimson Road. When deputies arrived, logs were all over the roadway and tracks. The 57-year-old semi driver from Two Harbors was taken to St. Luke’s in…

Coffee Conversation: 24th Annual Lester River Rendezvous in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The 24th Annual Lester River Rendezvous will take place this weekend (9/30) in the heart of Lester Park. Committee Chair Lindsey Whitlinger joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Wednesday to talk about the event and its purpose. The fall festival will feature a range of vendor booths, food, fun and a rewarding school program that offers a…

Duluth Council Reluctantly Approves $1M Loan For DECC

DULUTH, Minn. – The DECC is getting its $1 million safety loan from the city of Duluth, but councilors don’t want it to happen again. DECC Exec. Dir. Dan Hartman has said the entertainment venue’s current business model needs to be reimagined. Hartman has been the DECC’s new leader since 2021. He said the DECC’s reserves are at around $891,000,…

ISD 709 Calls For Patience Amid Investigation Into Football Coach

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District is asking for the community’s patience as it continues to investigate Duluth East head football coach Joe Hietala. Duluth police said Hietala was asked to leave school grounds Saturday morning after complaints by parents and staff that he was “intoxicated.” Police confirmed he had “signs of impairment.” Hietala voluntarily left on foot without…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Cider’s 5th Annual Big Bad Apple Bash

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Cider is cheers-ing to five years of cider making with its Annual Big Bad Apple Bash of Saturday, September 30. Duluth Cider Owner Jake Scott joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Tuesday to talk about the celebration and its purpose. Bring your apples and your appetite, your friends and your family, your doggo and your dancing…

Coffee Conversation: ‘Ready North’ Helps Homeowners/Renters Prepare in Case of Disaster

DULUTH, Minn. –With the recent rain and flooding in Duluth and surrounding areas, the Ready North network is reminding renters and homeowners to be prepared in case of disaster. Members Karen Sunderman and Dan Williams joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Tuesday to talk about the mission and purpose of Ready North. September also marks National Disaster Preparedness month, coinciding…

Grandma’s Miller Hill Restaurant Mops Up After Weekend Flooding

DULUTH, Minn. – The staff at Grandma’s Restaurant up by the Miller Hill Mall spent the day mopping up Monday after flood waters moved inside Sunday. Water surrounds the restaurant along Mall Drive Sunday. Tony Boen, the restaurant’s director of operations, said the staff started getting chairs and other items off the floor Sunday morning when they saw the water…

City of Duluth Responds to Flash Flooding

DULUTH, Minn. — One day after heavy rainfall caused flooding and washed out roads in and around Duluth, officials lined up for a press event, saying the damage couldn’t have been much worse. Duluth saw flash flooding that it hasn’t seen since the Northland flash flood of 2012. Since then the city established more flood defense which remained resilient after…

Police: Duluth East Football Coach ‘Displayed Signs Of Impairment’, Placed On Leave

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth East High School’s longtime head football coach, Joe Hietala, has been placed on administrative leave due to what the district calls “alleged violations of our polices and ethics.” The district said Coach Hietala, who had been in that position since 2002, will be prohibited from participating in any coaching activities, attending team events, or having any…

Exec. Dir.: DECC’s $1M Loan Request From City Among Multiple Operational Challenges

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council will decide whether to loan the DECC a $1 million line of credit. This comes as the DECC’s executive director, Dan Hartman, said the entertainment venue’s current business model needs to be reimagined. Hartman has been the DECC’s leader since 2021.  He said the DECC’s reserves are around $891,000, which is usually at…

Dogs Make Big Splashes at Petlandia

DULUTH, Minn. — All kinds of dogs were making a splash at the Petlandia Pet Expo this weekend, and many got encouragement from the crowd. Petlandia was an animal lovers dream and the big hit was the jumping dogs. Dockdogs Northern Stars is an affiliate club of Dockdogs and the longest running club of 20 years. Many talented pups took…

Dinosaurs Take Over Proctor

PROCTOR, Minn. — Jurassic Empire is one of the worlds largest traveling dinosaur exhibits, and they made the stop in Proctor this weekend. Families took a step back millions of years and got to hang out with some animatronic dinosaurs for a day.   Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Heavy Rainfall Leads To Washed-Out Roads In St. Louis County

This weekend’s heavy rainfall has led to flooding in several areas of southern St. Louis County, especially at the intersection of Maple Grove Road and Mall Drive in Duluth, which has remained closed Sunday. Several other lesser traveled county roads also have been damaged due to washouts, including portions of: Cant Road south of Lismore Road Pioneer Junction Road between…

City of Duluth: Flooded Roads Continue As Creeks, Streams, Sewers Overflow

DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth continues to feel the effects of heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours that has caused creeks, streams and some sanitary sewers to overflow.  The information below is a news release from the city about road closures, as of 5:30 p.m. Sunday.   Chester Creek: -Niagara Street -Norton Road at the crossing nearest…

Two Harbors Fall Art Fair Returns for 7th Year

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — The Two Harbors fall art fair returns this weekend for its 7th year and it’s packed with talented artists. Over 30 artists are showing off and selling their fine art. From jewelry, paintings, pottery and a whole lot more. One artist will even be hosting an interactive activity Sunday where people can create their own art….

POLICE: Shots Fired in Superior, No Threat To Public

UPDATE (September 22, 9:10 a.m.) — The Superior Police Department says they do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public. At 6 a.m. Friday the Emergency Response Team completed their tasks and cleared the area. Authorities say there will be a police presence in the area Friday as the incident is investigated. Superior Police ask anyone with…

‘Chester Park Playground Celebration’ Set For Late Barry Family

Barry family DULUTH, Minn. — It’s been about a year and a half since the Barry family was killed in their Duluth home by a relative. And now, the community is close to celebrating improvements at Chester Park in the name of the Barry’s daughters – Shiway and Sadie. The community helped raise $22,000 to install a new spinner element,…

Duluth Developer To Transform Downtown Building Into Workforce Housing

DULUTH, Minn. – New workforce housing is coming to a prominent location in downtown Duluth.  But it won’t be in the form of a new building. Duluth-based Titanium Partners will soon be transforming the historic Ordean Building across from Maurices on West Superior Street into 35 new apartments, according to Brian Forcier, owner of Titanium Partners. The units will be…

Minnesota’s First Office Of Cannabis Management Director Is Named

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota’s first Office of Cannabis Management director has been appointed. Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced Erin DuPree has been appointed the state’s first director of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Starting Oct. 2, DuPree will start building the new state agency and will have a leadership role in establishing and regulating the adult-use…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Playhouse Kicks Off New Season with ‘Young Frankenstein’

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Playhouse is launching its 2023 – 2024 season with the musical comedy Young Frankenstein, running September 15 to October 1 at the historic NorShor Theatre. Duluth Playhouse Executive Director Wes Drummond joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Thursday to talk about the spooky, funny show and the rest of the season. Young Frankenstein is filled with…

Cloquet Police to Get Body Cams and Updated Tasers

  CLOQUET, Minn. –The Cloquet City Council approved the purchase of body-worn cameras and new Tasers for its Police Department. The 24 cameras cost slightly more than 159 thousand dollars, while the 24 Tasers were slightly more than 101 Thousand Dollars. These prices include service through December 2028. Because the two items were bundled together, Cloquet was able to receive a…

GO Pack GO Bill Re-introduced

  Courtesy: Green Bay Packers WASHINGTON D.C. — Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin wants Television viewers in all of Wisconsin to be able to watch Green Bay Packers games. She has re-introduced the GO Pack GO legislation that would require cable and satellite providers to air the Packers game, no matter what the local station is running. If this passes, it…

Coffee Conversation: Local Authors to Participate in Discussions at Twin Ports Libraries

DULUTH, Minn. — The Twin Ports Perceptions project will host panel discussions with six local authors at Superior Public Library on September 26 and Duluth Public Library on October 10. Superior Public Library Programming and Partnerships Manager Leslie Mehle and Featured Author Jayson Iwen joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Wednesday, September 20 to talk about the upcoming events and their…