Minnesota

‘Metamodernity’ by Local Filmmaker at Ely Festival

DULUTH, Minn. — The 3rd Annual Ely Film Festival will take place from Wednesday, March 12 through Saturday, March 16, at the Historic State Theatre. Local filmmaker Drew Kerner appeared on the Fox 21 morning newscast to talk about his film Metamodernity, which will be featured at the festival. Kerner’s short film is an experimental documentary that tells its story…

Hermantown School Board Approves of $750K in Budget Cuts for Next School Year

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Hermantown Community Schools is slashing next year’s budget by $750,000, and 6 position are being eliminated. On Monday night’s school board meeting, the school board unanimously approved of budget which looks to cut $730,000 for the 2025-26 school year. Cuts include: Two retirements ($60K) Eliminate summer days for media specialists ($3K) High School Social Studies attrition ($131K)…

Two Men From Illinois Assaulted Man in Hibbing Over Owed Money, Charges Claim

HIBBING, Minn. – A daylight attack by two men in Hibbing last Friday against another man who owed them money resulted in a high-speed chase, authorities say. Two men have been charged in connection to an assault on another man in Hibbing last Friday. According to the charges, the suspects, Kimonte Travion Cadge, 27, and Genio Taroyes Keller, 31, are…

Construct Tomorrow Teaches Students About Careers in Construction

  DULUTH, Minn — High Schoolers got a chance to try their hands at construction today! The DECC hosted “Construct Tomorrow”. An event aimed at getting people into construction apprenticeships. During the day local Highschoolers were there to learn and try things out. They got to meet employers, try out different tools and equipment, and talk to experts. “A lot…

Blatnik Bridge Replacement Construction Set For 2027

  SUPERIOR, Wis.– Transportation officials from Minnesota and Wisconsin say the nearly $2 billion-dollar Blatnik Bridge replacement project remains on track, with construction expected to begin in 2027. The Minnesota Department of Transportation and Wisconsin D.O.T held a public informational meeting on the project today in Superior. State and federal funding remains secured, with roughly $1 billion from the federal…

Isle Police Department Requesting Help to Find Missing Teen

ISLE, Minn. — The Isle Police Department is asking for public assistance in locating a missing teenager. The missing teen is known as Brody Schwarzbauer, age 16. He was last seen on March 3, 2025, around 7:30 p.m. leaving his parent’s residence. Schwarzbauer was last seen wearing a Grey sweatshirt with “Mille Lacs Lake” printed on it, blue jeans, and…

Minnesota Film Festival Returns to Downtown Duluth

The Minnesota Film Festival is returning to downtown Duluth. The Zeitgeist Arts Building, along with other venues across the Historic Arts and Theatre district, will be hosting the festival. It will feature over 100 films, with over 80 filmmakers in attendance. For many of those filmmakers this marks a chance for them to share their projects with the community that…

Wrecktangle Pizza Coming to Wild State Cider

DULUTH, Minn. — A popular Twin Cities pizza joint is coming to Duluth! Construction will shortly begin at Wild State Cider, bringing Wrecktangle Pizza to the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The award-winning restaurant serves up Detroit-style pizza. To previews what’s to come, Wrecktangle will be bringing its food truck to Wild State the weekend of April 12-13. Wrecktangle Pizza is slated…

Sandstone Essentia Contracts Ratified for 3-Years

SANDSTONE, Minn. — Essentia Health and Sandstone Nurses have finished ratifying their new three-year contract. The new contract covers all 28 nurses and includes a cross-facility care model. This model ensures Sandstone nurses have the opportunity to pick-up shifts at other Essentia facilities to help meet patients needs. Nurses from other facilities are also able to fill-in shift needs at…

Crow & Co. and Bent Paddle Team Up For “Queer and Weird” Bookstore

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth is home to many small businesses, and when they team up, it’s always something special. ‘Crow and Company To Go’ is teaming up with Bent Paddle to host a bi-weekly “queer and weird” bookstore. They hope that their selection of books will be able to share and uplift the stories of marginalized groups while supporting local…

‘Tequila Town’ Owner Changes Sign After Controversy In Esko

ESKO, Minn. — A Mexican restaurant in Esko has made some changes to its sign after the town board raised issue with alcoholic words in the sign being too close to Esko Schools. The original sign recently installed read: “Tequila Town Authentic Mexican Cuisine & Bar.” But over the weekend, Owner Rafael Mata posted a photo of the sign edited…

St. Louis Co. Rescue Squad’s Infrared Drone Helps Locate Missing Man

BREVATOR TOWNSHIP, Minn. — The St. Louis County Rescue Squad is crediting its drone technology for safely locating a missing man with dementia. Deep red along the tree line is missing man Drone Pilot Carter Nelson was one of the pilots using the infrared technology Saturday night for the missing 61-year-old man. The search effort was centered around Brevator Township…

Meth and Firearm Found after Vehicle Chase in Cass Co

Authorities say approximately 80 grams of methamphetamine and a 9mm pistol were found

CASS LAKE, Minn. – A cordial traffic stop turned vehicle pursuit resulted in the discovery of 80 grams of meth and firearm, according to Leech Lake Tribal Police. What started as a cordial traffic stop last Thursday quickly turned into a vehicle pursuit,  the discovery of 80 grams of meth and a firearm. On Thursday, a Leech Lake Tribal Police Officer…

Fans Flock to Duluth for WCHA Final Faceoff

DULUTH, Minn. — Hockey fever has taken over Duluth as fans from across the Midwest poured into town for the WCHA Final Faceoff. Four top-ranked teams battled it out to win the conference and receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. AMSOIL Arena hosted the electric weekend of women’s college hockey, which saw the Minnesota Gophers and the number…

LP Building Solutions Celebrates 40 Years in Two Harbors

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — One of LP Building Solutions’ longest-running mills just celebrated their 40-year anniversary. The LP Mill in Two Harbors has been the company’s birthplace for their SmartSide Trim & Siding product line. Since the product line’s start, seven other siding and trim mills have been established across the U.S. The mill also allows the public to tour…

UPDATE: Lake Superior Zoo SeaQuest Rescue

DULUTH, Minn. — Following the recent SeaQuest rescue the Lake Superior Zoo took part in, they were able to bring an impressive 200 animals to Duluth earlier this week. A press release says the enclosures at the Roseville SeaQuest were smaller than recommended according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The animals the Lake Superior Zoo took in includes…

Accused Stalker Arrested Again While on Pre-Trial Release

PROCTOR, Minn. – A man was granted pre-trial release after submitting guilty pleas in two cases; but “within two hours” of leaving custody, the victim said his attempts to contact her continued. Over the last eight months, multiple criminal cases have been filed against Rocky Allen Wrazidlo Jr., 27, of Proctor, for charges including harassment, first-degree burglary, and false imprisonment….

Rock Ridge High School Employee is Suspect in Child Sex Crime Investigation

The employee has not been arrested but was placed on paid leave

VIRGINIA, Minn. – A Rock Ridge High School employee is on paid leave, after the St. Louis County Sheriff and the Minnesota BCA began investigating him for child sex crimes. In a Friday press release, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said they had conducted search warrants at multiple locations across Virginia and Eveleth on Mar. 6, including at the…

‘Duluth Promise’ Promotes Workforce Partnerships with Local Students

DULUTH, Minn. — A new initiative in Duluth is planning to not only solve retention issues, but also fix a shrinking workforce. ‘The Duluth Promise’ is a new partnership between educational institutions and workforce partners to build a stronger local workforce. By linking the two, schools will be able to equip students with career paths, by teaching them in-demand skills…

Video: Tuesday’s Anti-Trump Admin. Rally In Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Hours before President Trump gave his first address to Congress Tuesday, dozens of protesters filled all four corners of Superior Street and Lake Avenue in downtown Duluth to make their voices heard against the president and his administration. Some of the signs on display read, “Democrats, yes. Dictator, no” and “Deport Musk.” Click the video above for…

“T Building” Welcomes in New Integrated Manufacturing Space at Lake Superior College

DULUTH, Minn.– Lake Superior College’s downtown location for welding, mechanics, and robotics students is now part of its main campus in Duluth. The space with the “Trades and Technology” portions of the campus has been remodeled for the additional students. The area will house classrooms for everything related to Fire and EMT, Carpentry and Welding alongside other trade opportunities. In…

Super One Round Up Donations Raises $46,000 for Northern Lights Foundation

DULUTH, Minn.–Customers who shopped at 38 Super One Foods locations helped raise $46,387 for the Northern Lights Foundation. From January 31st through February 17th, Super One customers had the option to round up their total for the Northern Lights Foundation The “NLF” is a nonprofit based in Duluth, and their mission is to help out families with children facing life…

Lake Superior Zoo, Wildcat Sanctuary Aid in Roseville SeaQuest Rescue

DULUTH, Minn.– Hundreds of animals are in desperate need of a new home after their zoo in Roseville Minnesota shut down. Duluth’s Lake Superior Zoo is one of three Minnesota zoos stepping up to help. ‘SeaQuest’ is an aquarium and petting zoo that closed its doors in February. It’s a chain across the country that is shutting down after the…

Beargrease champion takes home second win

GRAND PORTAGE, Minn. — The 40th annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon has a new champion, and one familiar with this exact win. Erin Aili and her team of dogs crossed the finish line in Grand Portage a little after ten. This Beargrease first-place win is Aili’s second overall. The race was shortened this year at the last minute because…

Trump delivers first address to Congress while 50501 protests continue

DULUTH, Minn. — In his first joint address to Congress since returning to power, President Donald Trump spoke at length last night, covering a wide range of issues. From domestic policy to foreign affairs, he highlighted what he calls major wins for the White House. Meanwhile, in Duluth, anti-Trump administration protestors gathered on all four corners of Lake Ave. and…

“Tequila Town” Restaurant Name Sparks Controversy within Esko Community

ESKO, Minn.– A new Mexican restaurant in Esko is being forced to change the name of its business because the town board says it violates liquor license laws. “Tequila Town Authentic Mexican Cuisine & Bar” opened last month across the street from Esko Schools. The owner told FOX 21 the name of the business was inspired by his hometown “Tequila, Mexico.”…

Coffee Conversation: Spruce Budworm Outbreak Raises Wildfire Risks

DULUTH, Minn. — A spruce budworm outbreak is damaging trees across Northern Minnesota, raising concerns over increased wildfire risks as a dry spring approaches. In a live interview on Fox 21 Morning News, Sean Klongerbo of Red Beard Cutting & Clearing urged homeowners to clear dead trees and create defensible spaces to prevent a repeat of the 2021 Greenwood Fire….

New Richmond Police: 70-Year-Old Man Murdered Wife Before Attempting to Dispose of Body

The couple were former long-time residents of Superior

NEW RICHMOND, Wisc. – Police say a 70-year-old man murdered his wife, before then disposing of her body in a rural area. On Sunday, Mar. 2, New Richmond Police responded to the residence of 70-year-old Gordon Charles Laakso and his wife, 68-year-old Mary Laakso. According to a press release, “The 911 caller indicated that Mary’s husband…made statements that led them…

Hibbing Man Used App to Send Child Sexual Abuse Material, Charges Allege

Law enforcement claim they connected the man to multiple different accounts on the app

HIBBING, Minn. – Law enforcement say they found “unused children’s underwear” and “a bouncy house,” when searching the home of a Hibbing man charged with sharing explicit videos of minors on a messaging app. On Friday, 45-year-old Joshua John Eckstrom of Hibbing was charged with nine felony counts for disseminating CSAM over the messaging app ‘Kik.’ The investigation into Eckstrom…

CHUM kicks off March Drive

DULUTH, Minn. — Chum is kicking off their annual March Drive. They are hoping to get as much food, money, and other donations as possible this month to support their food shelf. The goal is to raise $80,000 and 40,000 pounds of food. Every donation will go towards meeting the growing need for food assistance in the community. “I think…

Minnesota Power Outlines Future Plans for Renewable Energy

DULUTH, Minn.– Minnesota Power is striving to achieve 90% renewable energy by 2035. And to make this happen, they’re unveiling the next chapter of their “EnergyForward” plan. Minnesota Power is currently outlining its 2025 “Integrated Resource Plan” or “IRP” The plan looks 15 years into the future, and it focuses on providing reliable energy while reducing carbon emissions. If approved,…

Lake County Historical Society Faces $100,000 in Repairs After Winter Damages

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — The Lake County Historical Society was gearing for an 100th year anniversary, but recent events has shifted their focus to emergency repairs. Busted frozen pipes, flooding, and two failed boilers has costed over $100,000 in damages. This happened between two different sites, the 3M Museum and the historic Two Harbor’s Lighthouse. At the end of December…

Garage Destroyed in Fire in Grand Lake Township

Grand Lake Township — A detached garage was completely destroyed in a fire on March 3, 2025, in Grand Lake Township, likely caused by a diesel heater. At approximately 8:30 PM, deputies were called to the 5900 block of Old Miller Trunk Hwy for a report of a detached garage fire. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, the…

Sawyer County Arsonist Remains at Large as Victims Remain Fearful

The string of fires last November saw homes and businesses destroyed

SAWYER COUNTY, Wisc. – As some victims attempt to rebuild, they grapple with the fear of an arsonist still at large. Nearly 100 days since the last fire, the small communities and towns in the southeastern Sawyer County have been left scarred. The six structure fires occurred over a nine-day period in late November and impacted homes, businesses, and even…

Childcare Advocates Participating in “A Day Without Childcare” Rally

DULUTH, Minn.– The importance of prioritizing childcare centers and providers is being highlighted across the country today including in Duluth. Childcare providers, teachers and parents gathered at ‘Young Minds Learning Center’ to highlight the importance of properly funded childcare. A press conference, march, a rally, and multiple center closures happened in Duluth to drive the point home. The advocates are…

Hibbing Police Department Asks Public to Help Name New K9

HIBBING, Minn. — The Hibbing Police Department is training a new K9. K9 handler Officer Sydney Haugan will be attending a three-month certification training with a one-year-old German Sheppard. Together the new K9 team will be training in criminal apprehension and firearms/ammunition detection. The police department will be having a naming contest for their new K9. They’re asking for any…

DECC Hosts FIRST Robotics Competition

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament Section Finals aren’t the only major events happening this week. The DECC is also buzzing with excitement as it hosts 108 teams for the kickoff of the FIRST Robotics season. Fox 21 Photojournalist Adam Jagunich captured all the action.     Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News