Minnesota

The Duluth City Council Could Vote To Approve Funding For The Demolition Of The Old Kozy Building

DULUTH, Minn. – The city council could also vote tonight to approve nearly $150,000 to move forward with the demolition of the old Kozy building in downtown Duluth. The fate of the building has been involved in an ongoing legal battle between the city and the former owner Eric Ringsred along with a group called “Respect Starts Here.” A district…

Giant Teddy Bear Made Out Of Snow In Hermantown Catches Some Attention

The Johnson family sculpted a snowman in 2005 that stood nearly 25 feet high.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – A 16-foot teddy bear made out of snow in Hermantown is stealing a few hearts The giant bear was created by a Hermantown couple along with the help of a few neighbors. It goes by the name Theodore. The creation of the heart hugging bear began on Christmas Eve and took nearly six weeks to finish. The…

Think Local Gift Giving This Valentine’s Day

Duluth Loves Local Encourages Northlanders to Shop Small Businesses This Valentine's Day

DULUTH, Minn. – Flowers, chocolates, and a nice dinner out. It’s the traditional Valentine’s Day date, but it doesn’t have to be the same old plan every year. Duluth Loves Local is encouraging Northlanders to think outside of the box when it comes to gift giving for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day. The 2020 Portside Pass is now available at…

London Road House Fire Causes $25,000 in Damages

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth firefighters responded to a house fire Sunday afternoon on the 5300 Block of London Road. Initial reports said somebody was trapped inside, but when fire crews arrived on the scene they learned that all occupants were safely out of the home. The fire started in the attic on the third floor. Firefighter closed off nearby streets…

Mike Bloomberg Opens Campaign Field Office in Duluth

Duluth office one of five in Minnesota.

DULUTH, Minn.- A Democratic Presidential candidate set up a remote office in Duluth. Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s campaign held a grand opening on Sunday. The office opened up on First Street Downtown, in the Duluth Athletic Club building. It’s one of five field offices in Minnesota for Bloomberg to boost his presence across the Super Tuesday state. According…

Valentini’s Moving from Duluth to Hermantown; Restaurant Assoc. Pres. Concerned Why

Association President says high taxes and fees is making it harder to run a restaurant in Duluth, one of the reasons why Valentini's moved.

DULUTH, Minn- Valentini’s Restaurant is preparing to move from its location on London Road to a permanent spot off Miller Trunk Highway in Hermantown. Valentini’s operated on London Road for the past 13 years, and will remain open through September. But one reason for leaving is what the owner called the increased financial difficulty of running a restaurant in the…

Itasca County Jail Could Close If It Doesn’t Undergo Major Renovations

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. –  After receiving a sunset letter back in 2018 from the Department of Corrections, the jail will now be closed in September of 2021 if major changes are not made. “Our occupancy right now is anywhere between 100-120,” Itasca County Sheriff, Victor Williams says. The issue of overpopulation has caused the jail to send dozens of inmates…

Klobuchar Pushes to Keep Defying Expectations in Campaign

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) – Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she’s plans to keep defying expectations heading into Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary. Though she’s spent the last year behind the front-runners, Klobuchar has enjoyed a burst of momentum in the last few days thanks to a strong debate performance and infusion of cash. At a rally at Southern New Hampshire University…

Soul and Soul Food Served to Hundreds at UMD

At 240 people the event was sold out.

DULUTH, Minn.- Great smells, great company, and of course great tastes packed the Kirby Ballroom for the Black Student Association’s annual Soul Food dinner. “It signifies black people and unity, honestly,” Black Student Association Treasurer Trina Kwamboka said. “Being brought together to eat by your Grandma, to eat some soul food. It’s a really big thing in the black culture.”…

Celebrating Winter and Community at Carlton Winterfest

25th annual Winterfest featured activities indoors and outdoors.

CARLTON, Minn.- The weather was just right in Carlton for the annual Winterfest. Families enjoyed face painting, animals from Lake Superior Zoo’s Zoomobile, and a chili cookoff. Meanwhile outside they enjoyed “Mini Hook and Slice”: minigolf in the snow with tennis balls. The perfect way to spend a winter day. “People are, at this time of year in Minnesota winters…

Wild State Cider Releases New Cider with Zero Added Sugar

Classic dry cider has already had a good reception.

DULUTH, Minn.- Wild State Cider has released a new beverage: Classic Dry cider. This cider has zero added sugar, and is made with champagne yeast. The cidery owner said they released it now, as people are trying to eat and drink healthier this time of year. “We joke that we think this is the future of cider that not all…

City of Duluth Launches New MuniciPals Podcast

First episode received 100 downloads in a day.

DULUTH, Minn.- The City of Duluth is distributing information in a new way with a monthly podcast. The “MuniciPals” podcast started out as a joke according to officials, but has now turned into a new way to give people a behind the scenes look at the city, and distribute information on a wider scale. Following a peaceful guitar riff, Phil…

UMD Police Investigate Residence Hall Break-Ins

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD Police Department is investigating reports of someone opening or attempting to open doors of occupied rooms in the residence halls. UMD police say the incidents took place over the last several weeks. The department is looking for a person of interest who is described as a 5’5” white male, age 19-20, medium build with brown…

HealthPartners Union Voted in Favor of Strike

MINNEAPOLIS – Nurses, physician assistants and other caregivers in the union representing 1,800 HealthPartners workers have voted overwhelmingly to strike if a contract agreement cannot be reached before Feb. 19. Service Employees International Union represents 1,800 members at HealthPartners in Minnesota. The St. Paul Pioneer Press says 95% of members voted to begin a seven-day strike. The union announced the…

Behind Bars For FUN! Try To Escape This Test

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Escape Room Parties Brings Mobile Escape Rooms To The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — In this weeks Active Adventures Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot and Brett Scott are locked up, in “Alcatraz prison”. Find out if they can escape… Join in on the escape room fun THIS WEEKEND ONLY. Thurs Feb. 6, Fri Feb. 7 & Sat. Feb 8th at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, 305 E 2nd St, Superior,…

New Superintendent Selected for Hermantown School District

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown Community Schools have selected a new superintendent. The Hermantown Community Schools Board of Education voted this week to hire Wayne Whitwam, a principal from Centerville Elementary School, as the district’s new superintendent. “After careful consideration and with input from our community, staff and administration, we believe Mr. Whitwam has the depth of knowledge needed to lead…

Great Grey Owl Sighting Attracts Dozens of Bird Enthusiasts to Duluth

A Great Grey Owl Was Recently Spotted Along Interstate 35 Near 21st Avenue East in Duluth, a Rare Occurrence

DULUTH, Minn. – The Great Grey Owl typically resides toward the tip of North America and across the pond in northern Russia. Recently, residents in the Northland captured a rare sight, one that has bird enthusiasts speaking out in this week’s Great Outdoors. “Even people that were just driving by living in the neighborhood, they pull over and ask what…

Mix Cosmetiques Opens New Location in Duluth

Store specializes in handmade, custom cosmetics.

DULUTH, Minn.- A local cosmetic store specializing in natural makeup that’s handmade has just opened up in a new storefront. Mix Cosmetiques had it’s grand opening today with a ribbon cutting at its new spot. It was formerly located downtown and in a kiosk at Miller Hill Mall. The store specializes in cosmetics made from natural ingredients, that customers can…

Lake Superior Nearly Ice-Free this Warm Winter

Ice coverage at less than 5% as temps are higher than normal.

DULUTH, Minn.- This winter’s unseasonably warm temperatures have left Lake Superior almost entirely without ice. According to experts at the National Weather Service, less than 5% of the lake is covered so far, while at this time last year 40% of the lake was covered. While less ice may make the water seem warmer, experts said that it’s still icy…

Meeting on Refugee Resettlement Turns Contentious

Both sides of the refugee issue clashed outside of meeting.

CLOQUET, Minn.- A presentation on refugee resettlement at the Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College sparked a bit of controversy Thursday. The presentation focused on explaining “all the facts” about refugee resettlement, while some people in attendance said what they’re doing is wrong. The meeting at the college Thursday was not a part of any established group, but was…

Winterfest Kicks Off This Weekend In Carlton

CARLTON, Minn. – Are you having cabin fever and looking for some fun to let loose? The City of Carlton’s Winterfest has got you covered this weekend. Visitors can take part in a variety of activities such as open hockey at the Four Season’s Sports Complex Arena in Carlton. There is even a mini Hook and Slice course, which is…

The Fond Du Lac Tribal & Community College Hosts 4th Annual Nursing Career Expo

About 200 students take part in the Fond Du Lac Tribal & Community College's nursing program every year.

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet hosted its 4th Annual Nursing and Healthcare Career Expo. More than 30 employers representing different nursing and healthcare fields participated in the event. Current Fond Du Lac College and area high school students had the chance to explore those fields and learn what jobs are available around…

Barnum School Board Could Decide To Cut Nearly $750,000 From District’s Budget

A decision could be made at the next regular school board meeting on February 18th.

BARNUM, Minn. – The Barnum School District could potentially need to cut nearly $750,000 from its budget for the next school year. This financial concern comes after the school board was presented with options to help reduce expenses within the school district during Tuesday’s board meeting. The $750,000 in cuts is just a recommendation for now. But the need to…

City of Duluth Launches New Podcast

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth has launched a new podcast. The MuniciPals podcast is described as a “monthly podcast which aims to highlight different city departments and divisions as well as issues facing Duluth.” The podcast is hosted by the city’s Communications and Policy Officer Phil Jents as well as the Community Relations Officer Alicia Kozlowski. We’ve got…

Two Harbors Winter Frolic Begins Today

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – The annual Two Harbors Winter Frolic event officially kicks off today, February 6. This year’s event started with a medallion hunt at the Two Harbors Dairy Queen and a sliding hill at the Curling Club. On Friday attendees can partake in a community curling challenge followed by a restaurant chili cook-off. Event organizers say the Winter…

Potato Skins Pair With A Jamaican Cowboy Cocktail

COOKING CONNECTION: Texas Roadhouse Appetizers & Drinks

DULUTH, Minn. — In this weeks Cooking Connection Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot features Texas Roadhouses potato skin appetizers, paired with a fruity mixed drink. Learn how to cook your own potato skins and mix your own Jamaican Cowboy at home! Categories: Community, Cooking Connection, Entertainment, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News Tags: Cooking Connection, Jamaican Cowboy, Local Appetizers, Meteorologist Brittney…

UMD Finishes Updates on Recreational Rink

DULUTH, Minn.– After a year and a half of updates and renovations, UMD has re-opened its ice rink. The rink opened in January after undergoing renovations that started in the summer of 2018. The $3.6 million project updated the rink’s heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems. UMD students have spent the past month using the rink to make up for…

How Can Northern Minnesota Become a Hub for TV and Film Production?

Local film and TV professionals discuss how to make the Northland a regional center in the media industry

DULUTH, Minn. – Movies like ‘North Country’ and ‘Iron Will’ were shot right here in the Northland. And according to media professionals, more producers want to bring their projects here. “We have some of the most talented people in the United States if not in the world, we have scenery that is unmatched,” said Steven Sanders of Ironbound Studios. In…

Pedestrian Killed in Itasca County Crash

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – A pedestrian was struck and killed on Highway 46 in Alvwood Township around 9:12 p.m. Tuesday. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the man was standing near a southbound vehicle that was stalled in the traffic lane when he was struck by a southbound GMC Sierra pickup. The man suffered fatal injuries and died at the…

Whole Food’s Co-op Raises Over $11,000 For Life House

The Whole Foods Co-op has been able to raise a quarter-million dollars for local organizations.

DULUTH, Minn. – The generosity from customers at both Whole Foods Co-op locations in Duluth has helped raise more than $11,000 for the local organization Life House. On Tuesday, at the Denfeld Location, Co-op staff presented the large check to representatives from Life House. For the whole month of January, Co-op customers have been rounding up the cost of their…

Bait Shops Provide Ice Condition Update For Area Lakes

DULUTH, Minn. – “People are getting them. You just can’t go wherever you want right now,” Marine General Sales Manager, Rob Hering says. With the higher than average temperatures for this time of year, ice fisherman have to be cautious before dropping a line. “You can get out there, but you’re not pulling a truck or pulling your crank down,”…

Coast Guard Advises Caution When On Lake Superior

DULUTH, Minn. – The Coast Guard here in Duluth is warning the public to be aware of the thin ice on Lake Superior. The coast guard has three boats which are used for such occasions. Historically, all of them are winterized by December. This year, however, they have one boat still remaining because of the amount of open water and…

Duluth Mayor Emily Larson Attends State of the Union with Sen. Tina Smith

Larson calls it an opportunity to discuss Duluth issues with national officials

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson attended the 2020 State of the Union as the guest of U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (DFL-Minnesota). Larson told us before the President’s speech she thinks this is a great opportunity for her to talk with national officials about issues that are important to Duluth. “We’re talking about the St. Louis River corridor, we’re…

Community Leaders Meet With State Politicians Ahead Of Legislative Session

DULUTH, Minn. – State-elected officials and local leaders came together, at the CHUM food shelf in Duluth, for a legislature send-off to discuss the needs and issues impacting the community. Clergy and community organization directors were among those at the table with state leaders hoping to come up with longterm solutions. The legislature send-off has been happening for several years….

Minnesota Officer Charged With Sexually Touching Students

COTTAGE GROVE, Minn. (AP) – Prosecutors have charged a Minnesota police officer with sexually touching female students while hugging them at a suburban high school where he was a school resource officer. Forty-year-old Adam Pelton of River Falls, Wisconsin, was charged Monday with three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and four counts of fourth-degree sexual conduct. Pelton is accused…

Ready, Set, Ride! Winter Bike Week Kicks Off in Twin Ports

Zeitgeist Hosts the Annual Winter Bike Week to Encourage People Powered Modes of Transportation Year-Round

DULUTH, Minn. – Many Northlanders find themselves cooped up throughout the winter months, but one local organization is looking to promote activity with people powered modes of transportation year-round. Zeitgeist is proud to present the annual Winter Bike Week February 5 – 15. Currently, Zeitgeist’s active transportation coordinator, Shawna Mullen, is in Joensuu, Finland for the 8th Annual Winter Cycling Congress…

Officials Present New Protective Gear Policy with Police Chief, Community

Policy born out of nearly one year of meetings, and over 30 hours of discussion.

DULUTH, Minn.- After 10 months of 12 meetings, the Duluth Police Policy Working Group presented its Protective Gear Policy to Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken, with the public having the chance to share their questions and concerns. The Policy Working Group consisted of 20 members from groups including the Duluth Citizen Review Board, Duluth NAACP, Homeless Persons Bill of Rights,…

Bakk Ousted as Top Democrat in Minnesota Senate

Tom Bakk MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota state Sen. Susan Kent defeated longtime Sen. Tom Bakk in an election for the leadership of the DFL Senate caucus. The two-term member from Woodbury was elected Senate DFL Minority Leader on Saturday, toppling longtime Iron Range leader to become the first woman ever to lead the caucus. Susan Kent The 32-member caucus is…

A Trend To Steal Valuable Car Parts Causes Financial Burden For A Local Community Club

The Boys and Girls Club will have to shell out more than $1,500 just to fix one of their vehicles.

DULUTH, Minn. – Valuable parts are being stolen out of parked cars in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The recent trend is creating a financial burden for a local community club that relies on the use of vehicles to serve kids in Duluth. The Boys and Girls Club in Lincoln Park is the victim of that recent trend to steal car…

Pizza Shops Get Ready For Super Bowl Rush

Lee's Pizza can sell up to 100 pies during the Super Bowl rush.

DULUTH, Minn. – Many pizza shops in Duluth are gearing up for the big game this Sunday. Lee’s Pizza in Lincoln Park has already started making extra dough and slicing fresh mozzarella to prepare for the Super Bowl rush. Staff says the big day wouldn’t be the same without pizza and they are happy to give the customers what they…

City Asks Residents to Keep Gas Meters, Vents Clear of Ice & Snow

City of Duluth Reminds Residents to Use Preventative Measures as Winter Continues

DULUTH, Minn. – As winter rolls on, the City of Duluth is reminding residents to think ahead before problems occur. The City says due to an increase in snow and ice-related issues this season involving gas metering equipment, they’re asking residents to make sure gas meters, furnace, boiler, and dryer vents are clear of ice and snow. This preventative action…