Minnesota

Minnetonka Couple Becomes Target of Phony Police Call

Some "Swatting" Pranks have led to Deaths

MINNETONKA, Minn. (AP) – Nearly two dozen well-armed officers sealed off several blocks and surrounded a Minnetonka home on Saturday in response to a call about a man who killed his wife with an AR-15 rifle and was threatening to kill police. But inside the home, a couple in their 60s were sleeping safely – the unwitting targets of “swatting,”…

Maritime Improv Crew to Host Performance Saturday at Fitger’s

The Crew Performs in the Spirit of the North Theater at Fitger's in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – “Belly Laughs” is set to light off  fireworks in the Spirit of the North Theater at Fitger’s Saturday, June 6. The Maritime Improv Crew offers a hilarious PG 13 long form improve show once a month in the theater. Shows begin at 7:00 p.m. and end early enough to still get to bed at a decent time!…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Brian’s Workshop

Craftsman constructs handmade coasters and trivets while battling Cerebral Palsy.

DULUTH, Minn.- Many people can turn a hobby into a business, but not quite like Brian Bentley has. “I don’t consider it work. Most would say it’s a job, but I don’t consider it work. I enjoy what I do.” You may have seen Bentley at markets or outdoor festivals. Though he may be more recognizable by his products. “People…

Minnesota Women’s Prison to Drop ‘No-Touch’ Policy

The new Guidelines Take Effect in Mid-July

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota women’s prison is discontinuing its policy that barred inmates from shaking hands or giving high-fives. The Shakopee woman’s prison has banned unsanctioned contact between inmates for the past eight years. Critics have called the prison’s “no-touch” policy cruel and unconstitutional. Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schell said Friday that, “It wasn’t a healthy…

One Injured in Central Hillside Shooting Incident

There are no Suspected in the Incident

DULUTH, Minn. – A 22-year-old male arrived at a local hospital Friday morning with a non-life threatening gunshot wound following reports of shots fired in Central Hillside, according to the Duluth Police Department. Authorities say officers responded to reports of a large group of people fighting and shots fired in the area of 7th Avenue East and 4th Street around…

Age Well Arrowhead Seeking Volunteers for “Groceries-to-Go” Program

Contact (218) 623 - 7800 to Sign Up and Volunteer with Age Well Arrowhead

DULUTH, Minn. – Folks interested in making a big impact in the community have the chance to help Age Well Arrowhead this summer. Groceries-to-Go started three years ago in December of 2016, aimed at taking orders, shopping, and delivering groceries to seniors in need throughout Duluth, Hermantown, Superior, Proctor, and Cloquet. Volunteers will be responsible for calling program participants Mondays…

Coffee Conversation: Gowns on Display, Concerts on the Pier at Glensheen Mansion

View More Than a Dozen Gowns Inside, and Concerts on the Pier Outdoors at Glensheen Mansion this Summer

DULUTH, Minn. – They’re back! Glensheen’s annual Concerts on the Pier begin Wednesday, July 3. New this year, the series will begin each Wednesday evening with an opener taking to the Pier at 6:00 p.m., followed by a headliner at 7:00 p.m. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. Admission is free to the grounds of Glensheen. You’re encouraged to walk, bike,…

Vigil Held for Survivor of Fatal Helicopter Crash

Duda Remains in Critical Condition

BAXTER, Minn. (AP) – Dozens of first responders and community members from Crow Wing County gathered for a prayer vigil to support the paramedic who survived the crash of a medical helicopter last week. Acquaintances say Josh Duda remains in critical condition at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale with broken bones, but is expected to survive. The two others on…

Occupant of Disabled Vehicle Walking for Help Struck, Killed

The Fatal Crash Happened Late Sunday

RAINY LAKE, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota State Patrol says a woman trying to flag down help after her vehicle became disabled has been struck and killed on a northern Minnesota highway. The patrol says 18-year-old Kimburly Lynn Loycano, of International Falls, was walking southbound on Highway 71 in Rainy Lake with other occupants of the disabled vehicle when she…

Celebrating Midsommar in Duluth

Swedish Celebration of Summer at Spirit of God Lutheran Church

DULUTH, Minn.- The Swedish community in Duluth spent Sunday celebrating the End of Winter and the beginning of Summer, a holiday called Midsommar. The sounds of the accordion and the smell of flowers mean summer is here. “Midsommar in Sweden is about closing up the city it’s about going out to the countryside to the cabins to the fields to…

Duluth Comes Outside After Violent Storms

Enger Park bustling with people enjoying sun and nature.

DULUTH, Minn.- After the storms moved out of the area Sunday morning, the weather turned out pretty nice. Enger Park was full of people enjoying the look of the landscape, the views from the Tower, and the temps from the Sun. This is after storms whipped through the area, whipping lightning, wind, rain and even some hail across the sky…

52nd Annual Gun Show Brings Hundreds to DECC

One of the largest Gun shows in Minnesota attracts almost 100 vendors.

DULUTH, Minn.- Hundreds packed the DECC for one of the largest Gun Shows in Minnesota. The Duluth Gun Show is now in its 52nd year with 286 tables and 85 vendors displaying their firearms this year. For some, guns and the guns how have become important parts of their heritage. “It’s one of the, I would say one of the…

Brat Fest and ‘Bertapalooza’ Bring Crowds to Bayfront Festival Park

Two Fundraising events in Bayfront for the first time.

DULUTH, Minn.- What do Bratwurst, Beer and a guy named Bert have in common? They all occupied Bayfront for the first time this weekend, to donate to local charities. Festival season has begun at Bayfront Park in Duluth with Brat Fest and Bertapalooza. The sizzle of Bratwurst cooking on the grill means a new festival making its mark at Bayfront,…

All About Rhubarb at Rhubarb Festival

Fundraiser benefits CHUM Food Shelf

DULUTH, Minn.- You know summer is here when it’s time for the Annual Rhubarb Festival. Benefiting the CHUM Food Shelf, the 15th Annual Rhubarb Festival took over part of London Road with Rhubarb Pie, Rhubarb Lemonade, and Rhubarb Bratwurst, and more Rhubarb. The festival raises about $60,000-$70,000 for CHUM each year. This year’s goal was to raise more than $75,000….

Governor Walz Announces Aid Help

An increase in Local Government aid to a level not seen in Duluth since 2002

DULUTH, Minn.- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was back in the Northland to announce an increase in Local Government Aid to a level not seen in Duluth since 2002. Walz said there will be an additional $26 million dollars this year, and an increase of $31 million dollars in 2020. Much of those funds will be used to fun staffing including…

Minor Injuries Sustained in Multiple Vehicle Crash on London Road

Driver Cited for Inattentive Driving

DULUTH, Minn. – A 21-year-old female was cited for inattentive driving Friday morning following a crash on London Road. According to authorities the crash happened on the 4100 Block of London Road around 7:40 a.m. When authorities arrived on scene they found three vehicles involved in the crash with one of the vehicles on its side. Duluth Police say there…

Rox ‘N Soul Perform LIVE on FOX 21 Local News

Roxann Berglund and Briand Morrison Stopped by FOX 21 Local News Friday Morning to Perform LIVE

DULUTH, Minn. – Rox ‘N Soul is made up of vocals by Roxann Berglund and guitar performances by Briand Morrison. The duo reside in Grand Portage, but travel all across the region sharing their musical talents with residents in many communities. The band plays R&B, jazz, blues, pop, rock and original songs alone with favorites by request. Whether playing in…

Beat The Heat In Whitewater Rapids On The St. Louis River

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Minnesota Whitewater Rafting

SCANLON, Minn. — In this week’s Active Adventures we are beating the heat and gearing up to cool down in whitewater rapids along the St. Louis River with Minnesota Whitewater Rafting. Check out the adrenaline adventure and what the Class II-IV rapids look like! Come prepared to paddle, this is an active workout. Join Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot as she…

Car Crashes Into Downtown Biwabik Building Injuring two

BIWABIK, Minn. – The Gilbert Police Department and Minnesota State Patrol are investigating a crash that left two people injured Thursday night. According to the Northland Fire Wire, a building in downtown Biwabik was heavily damaged when a car crashed into the building and went through the lower level. The crash happened at 400 Main Street around 9:55 p.m. The…

Learn How To Make Your Own Waffle Cones

COOKING CONNECTION: Love Creamery

DULUTH, Minn. — In this week’s Cooking Connection we are learning how to make waffle cones at home with Love Creamery! Waffle Cones 1 Cup granulated sugar 4 large egg whites 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon salt 4 tablespoon butter melted 1 Cup all-purpose flour   Instructions 1. Preheat your waffle cone maker 2. Mix everything well, it will be…

2 Dead, 1 Injured in Medical Helicopter Crash in Brainerd

A Nurse and Pilot Were Killed

BRAINERD, Minn. (AP) – Two people are dead and a third injured after a medical helicopter crash at the Brainerd airport. North Memorial Health says no patients were on board when the crash happened about 1 a.m. Friday. A nurse and a pilot were killed. The injured crew member was taken to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd. The crew…

Haunted Trail Looking To Rebuild

The money donated will help go towards a new roof, and a new maize

SAGINAW, Minn.- After a harsh winter, a Saginaw Haunted Trail is asking for the public’s help to rebuild. The money donated from the community will go towards repairing the roof of the shed the props are stored in, a maize they just built last year that is destroyed, and to replace some props that were broken. The owner says, the…

Cloquet Offering Incentives For New Brewery Or Cidery

Cloquet is looking to add a brewery or cidery to its cities West End District

CLOQUET, Minn.- One Northland community would like to add a brewery or cidery to their town, and that city is offering financial incentives for someone to make that happen. Small towns across the Northland have felt the financial impact of breweries and now the City of Cloquet is looking to add one to its cities West End District. Cloquet is…

The Sunset Bar & Grill has new Owners

They Hope to Open in the Spring of 2020

FacebookDULUTH, Minn. – The Sunset Bar & Grill has some new owners. According to a recent announcement, Jessica and Erik Lietz of Lietz Properties purchased the bar and grill with the hope of a grand opening in spring 2020. After renovations are complete the Lietz’s want to reopen the restaurant and also plan to use some of the land on…

49th Annual Park Point Art Fair Happening Saturday, Sunday

The Park Point Art Fair is Always Looking for Volunteers to Help with Events in the Coming Years

DULUTH, Minn. – Summer on Park Point means a selection of over 100 vendors to enjoy this weekend at the 49th annual Park Point Art Fair. The festival and parking are free at the end of Park Point in Duluth. Organizer Carla Tamburro says the event is hosted rain or shine, with thousands of folks coming out every year for…

PolyMet: Glencore Majority Shareholder Following Rights Offering

Glencore now Owns Approximately 72 Percent of PolyMet Common Shares

ST. PAUL, Minn. – PolyMet announced today that preliminary results from a recent rights offering Glencore will now own approximately 72 percent of PolyMet common shares. Last March Polymet had secured a 12 month payment extension and lowered interest rates on its roughly $152 million of debt owed to Glencore AG, a mining company based out of Switzerland. In addition,…

Former UMD Athlete Sues, Alleging Retaliation

The Former Student Athlete is Seeking Emotional Distress Damages

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) – A former student athlete at the University of Minnesota Duluth is suing the Board of Regents claiming retaliation for her support for a coach whose conduct generated an investigation. Former track and cross-country athlete Paige du Bois is seeking compensatory and emotional distress damages, as well as attorney’s fees. In her lawsuit du Bois says she…

Duluth’s Japanese Garden Ready For Delegation From Sister City

DULUTH, Minn.- In preparation for this weekend’s visit of delegates from Duluth’s Sister City in Japan, Ohara-Isumi City,  extra work is being done at Enger Park’s Japanese Garden. Raking was being done around the garden Wednesday to make sure it looks perfect for visiting delegates. Irina Haller, co-chair of the Duluth Japanese Garden Committee, says she’s excited to show off…

Ice Skating Through Summer at Duluth’s Heritage Center

Open free skate held every Wednesday at Heritage Sports Center.

DULUTH, Minn.- While many spent the hottest day of the year so far outside, some thought it was a nice opportunity to cool off inside, on the ice. The Essentia Duluth Heritage Sports Center has free open skate every Wednesday from 1:30 to 3:30 through August. They provide skates if you don’t have any, and according to organizers with Duluth…

Duluth Spends Hottest Day of the Year Outside

Many in the city are out doing various summer activities to keep cool and enjoy the sun.

DULUTH, Minn.- No, you weren’t seeing things. It really hit the 80s here in the Northland. “Today has really kind of been the first perfect summer day,” said Sandy Kolasinski, General Manager of Little Angie’s Cantina and Grill. “We just really see an influx of people coming down here so it’s great.” The patio at Little Angie’s was buzzing with…

Graffiti Makes Its Way To Hermantown Roadway

The words "yikes" and "warning" are spray painted on Hermantown Road

  HERMANTOWN, Minn.- A unique way to let drivers know about potential hazards has popped up over in Hermantown. White graffiti can now be seen along a certain roadway to make potholes easier to spot. The words warning and yikes are sprayed with white paint across Hermantown Road. City leaders know about this, they are just happy the wording is…

Minnesota man Charged in Iowa in Child sex Trafficking Case

If Convicted Nordwall Faces up to Life in Prison

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a 50-year-old registered sex offender in Minnesota faces federal charges after being accused of traveling to Iowa to have sex with minors. Federal prosecutors for Iowa say Terrance Nordwall has been charged with attempted sex trafficking of children, attempted enticement of minors and traveling for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct….

Federal Agency Hears Testimony on Fate of Gray Wolves

Supporters of the Protections say Removal is Premature

BRAINERD, Minn. (AP) – Federal officials are weighing testimony from the only public hearing in the country on the government’s latest attempt to take gray wolves off the endangered and threatened species list. The proposal would return management of the predators to the states, potentially subjecting them to hunting and trapping. In most states it’s illegal to kill a wolf…

16th Annual Free Range Film Festival Happening Friday, Saturday in Wrenshall

The Free Range Film Festival will Feature 18 Films from Around the World

WRENSHALL, Minn. – Film festival programmer Annie Dugan is thrilled to be organizing and hosting the 16th annual Free Range Film Festival. The event is taking place Friday, June 28 – Saturday, June 29 with varied hours. The annual event brings in hundreds of film enthusiasts interested in watching and enjoying independent cinema in a barn setting. The iconic 103-year-old…

Suspect Sought in Fatal UTV hit-and-run Crash

Officials are Searching for the Driver

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (AP) – Authorities are looking for the driver of a car that struck and killed a man operating a utility vehicle in northern Minnesota. The 27-year-old man was struck in Becker County Monday night in Maple Grove Township and was found unresponsive. He was taken to Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota where he died on Tuesday….

Athletes With Disabilities Change Endurance Sports For The Better

Inclusion in Marathons for Special Needs Kids and Duo Young Racers

DULUTH, Minn. —  Grandma’s marathon may be over for 2019 but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to hit the pavement running! In this week’s Great Outdoors Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot introduces us to a duo team from Wisconsin who’s story is a little bit different from the rest. When it comes to race day some of the runners are…

Animal Answers: As Temperatures Rise, Police Warn of Hot Vehicle Dangers

Duluth Police Department Advises Calling 911 if an Animal is Showing Signs of Heat Exhaustion Inside a Vehicle

DULUTH, Minn. – Every year, PETA estimates nearly 100 animals will die due to negligence and heat exhaustion from being locked inside a hot vehicle. Officials say at just 70 degrees, a vehicle’s inside temperature can quickly reach well over 120 degrees. “It is deadly to leave your pet in a car in the summer time. It can happen faster…

Judge Tosses ex-Minnesota Players’ Suit Against University

The University Said it Weclomed the Decision

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by nine former University of Minnesota football players who claimed their rights were violated after a woman alleged she was the victim of a gang rape in 2016. The Star Tribune reports that U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank found no merit to claims that the men were subjected to…

Boy Thrown From Mall Balcony Remains in Intensive Care

The boy has had More Than 15 Procedures

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The parents of a 5-year-old Minnesota boy who was thrown from a third-floor balcony at the Mall of America say their son remains in intensive care due to severe complications from the April attack. In an update on their GoFundMe page Tuesday, the parents of the victim, identified only as Landen, say he has had more than…

Phase I of Improvements Done at Duluth’s Riverside Park

Ribbon cutting held with Parks and Rec and community members.

DULUTH, Minn.- Members of Duluth’s Riverside community came out to an unveiling of a newly renovated Riverside Park Tuesday. It’s the first phase of improvements to parks along the St. Louis River Corridor. Riverside is one of the 13 parks along the Corridor selected in the 2016 council-approved mini-master plan. The St. Louis River Corridor Initiative hopes to improve trails and…

Virginia’s Olcott Fountain Back In Business

After a six year hiatus, the fountain is back up and running

VIRGINIA, Minn.- Virginia’s Olcott Fountain is up and running again after a six year hiatus. In recent years, a million dollar donation came in for the project, in a park that has been a hub of activity in Virginia in years past. Park foundation members say this has been a long time coming and are thrilled the fountain is working…

Assisted Living Facility Robbed in Virginia

Virginia Police are investigating an armed robbery at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living center

VIRGINIA, Minn.- Virginia police are investigating an armed robbery at an assisted living facility. Employees say two men came into the building in the middle of the night and stole prescription narcotics. A 9-1-1 call alerted police that two younger men entered the Edgewood Vista Assisted Living center on 17th Street through the unlocked main entrance doors shortly after 3…

Driver in West Duluth Fatal Hit-and-Run Pleads Not Guilty

His Next Court Appearance Will be July 30

DULUTH, Minn. – A 30-year-old Duluth man charged with criminal vehicular homicide in connection to a West Duluth fatal hit-and-run crash last month pleaded not guilty to the charges on Tuesday. Stanley Brown pleaded not guilty to all three charges which included criminal vehicular homicide, fifth degree possession of a controlled substance, and second degree test refusal. According to court…

Legislative Auditor Will Investigate PolyMet Water Permit

Thr Auditor's Review Will Start Immediately

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota’s legislative auditor will investigate concerns over how state regulators handled an important water quality permit for the planned PolyMet copper-nickel mine. Rep. Rick Hansen, who chairs the Legislative Audit Commission and a House environment committee, says the auditor’s review will start immediately. An e-mail leaked last week indicates a top Minnesota Pollution Control Agency…

Duluth to Welcome Japanese Delegates Friday

Duluth Sister Cities International is Celebrating 30 Years of Sister City Exchanges in 2020

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth will welcome a plane into the Duluth International Airport Friday, June 28, carrying 15 Japanese delegate for a weeklong visit to the Northland. The visitors are from Duluth’s sister city, Isumi-City. With representatives such as business owners, travel agents, and the Mayor, the delegation marks the first in a two-part celebration meant to…