Minnesota

Sen. Amy Klobuchar Receives Award From American Legion

Senator Amy Klobuchar has been chosen for the American Legion’s 2024 Distinguished Public Service Award. The award quotes Klobuchar as being, “a champion of important legislation that The American Legion has prioritized year after year, and she has tirelessly worked to improve our national security.” “She has not only represented the interests of Minnesotans, but she also has been a…

Young Student on a Mission to Give Back to Teachers

One young student has continued her mission to spread joy to her teachers through something many enjoy--snacks!

DULUTH, Minn. –It all started with a single dollar and a challenge from a teacher. How can you use that dollar to spread compassion? “In 3rd grade, my teacher gave us $1 and said do something great with it,” said Amelia Hanson, 5th Grade Student. “So, Amelia took that dollar and decided to use it to raise additional money, and…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Scottish Heritage Association Spring Concert

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Scottish Heritage Association Spring Concert is taking place on Saturday, March 2 at the Proctor High School Auditorium. Member of the Duluth Scottish Heritage Pipes and Drums group Jason Reid joined FOX 21 on the morning Tuesday to talk about the event and its purpose. Reid also piped some tunes live in-studio. The evening begins…

Volunteer “Brightens Days” and Honored at Benedictine

Terry Hellsvig has been volunteering and helping others since 1998.

DULUTH, Minn. — A man who has spent years volunteering to help others, received his own thanks and recognition Monday. In a room filled with people with whom he has helped, worked and volunteered; Terry Hellsvig was at center stage in his own quiet way. He has offered his time at Benedictine Living Community for twenty-five years. His dedication to…

Coffee Conversation: UW-Superior Spring Career and Internship Fair

DULUTH, Minn. — The University of Wisconsin Superior is preparing to host a Spring Career and Internship Fair on Thursday, February 29 from 1 pm to 4 pm. UW-Superior Interim Senior Partnerships Officer Ilsa Hoeschen and UWS Career Development Manager Liza Shelquist joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Monday ahead of the event. The fair is taking place at…

Duluth Police Remember K-9 Luna Three Years Since Being Shot, Killed

DULUTH, Minn. – Three years ago Sunday, Duluth Police K-9 Luna was killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call. The suspect, 37-year-old David Conwell, was hiding in a bedroom closet. K-9 Luna attempted to apprehend Conwell when he began shooting a shotgun at officers and fatally struck Luna. St. Louis County deputies would later shoot and kill Conwell after…

Firefighter Recruits Train With Flames In Moose Lake

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – Northland firefighter recruits faced raging flames this weekend during a training event in Moose Lake. The Moose Lake Area Fire District hosted the training, which included how to handle a chimney fire. Blue Fire Training is behind the program, which dedicates to supporting fire, EMS and law agencies be their very best. Moose Lake will host…

Twin Ports Donation Drive To Help ‘Hundreds Of Lives’

The community came out in a big way this weekend with piles of donations for local community outreach organizations. Donations including clothing, hygiene supplies, back packs and toys for children. Lenroot Maetzold and Downs-Lesage funeral homes organized the drive. All of the donations will help a list of local community outreach organizations like CHUM, CASDA, Ruth House, Harbor House, Salvation…

Superior’s Boulder Tap House To Open Wednesday

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Goodbye, Grizzly’s. Hello, Boulder Tap House. The countdown is on for the newest member of the Twin Ports dining scene. Finishing touches and staff training continue as Wednesday’s opening gets closer. On Tower Avenue in Superior, Boulder will sit – literally — on the site of the old Grizzly’s. That long-time favorite had been remodeled five times,…

Duluthians Celebrate Kalevala Day and Finnish Culture

Dozens spent the afternoon enjoying Finnish food, music, and presentations

DULUTH, Minn. — Today was all about celebrating Finnish culture at Our Savior’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Duluth. Both Finnish Americans and non-Finns joined together for an early Kalevala Day celebration. The holiday is typically celebrated on February 28th is is named after the national epic of Finland. One of the organizers, Marjori Bottila, says its important for the…

Duluth Public Library Foundation Hosts 7th Annual Olga Walker Awards

The DPL Foundation celebrated three honorees and hosted Lakota author

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Library Foundation hosted the 7th Annual Olga Walker Awards on Sunday afternoon. The event honored three members of the Duluth community who have made significant contributions to the library system: former DPL board member Stephen P. Welsh, long-time volunteer Morgan Swingen, and public services supervisor David Ouse. The award ceremony is named in honor of Olga…

Video Shows Emergency Landing at Duluth Airport

Gear issue leads to landing, and front gear appears to have problems. No one hurt.

There were some anxious moments at the Duluth airport Thursday, but it ended well. A private aircraft had an issue with its landing gear. Video from a person at the airport shows the plane coming in for a landing. It was just before 3 p.m. The airport says the aircraft needed to make an emergency landing because of its gear…

Munger Announces Bid for Minnesota House District 3B

Retired judge says he has something to "bring to the table."

DULUTH, Minn. — Mark Munger announced Friday that he is running for the Minnesota legislature. He is seeking the House 3B seat now held by Natalie Zeleznikar. Munger is a DFLer, Zeleznikar a Republican. Munger graduated from Denfeld High School and UMD before becoming an attorney and District Court Judge. He said his background can help at the Capitol. “I…

Kozlowski Running For Reelection In Minnesota 8B

First-term legislator elected in 2022

DULUTH, Minn. — Alicia Kozlowski, the DFL representative for Minnesota’s District 8B, has announced a run for reelection. Since first being elected in 2022, Kozlowski has been the Vice Chair of POCI Caucus, a bloc of black, brown, and indigenous legislators. Kozlowski has received endorsements from labor unions including the Minnesota Nurses Association and the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees….

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Band “Fish Heads” Play for Food Shelf

DULUTH, Minn. — The Fish Heads, a husband and wife duo band, host virtual concerts every other Friday evening to help raise money for the food shelf. Band Members Mike and Kim Monson joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Friday to talk about the concerts and play some tunes live in-studio. The band has raised about $8,000 since beginning the…

Superior Rotary Sees Results of Fundraising Efforts for Ukrainian Ambulance

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — This week marks two years since Russia invaded Ukraine. Rotary Clubs in Ukraine and across the world have worked together to raise money to help with humanitarian aid. The Superior Rotary is one of the clubs that stepped up to help, and they got some inspiring news this week. Since last September the Superior Rotary Club has…

Drone Helps Find Missing Pine County Man

A new technology involving drones helped find the body of a missing Pine County man with dementia. The 86-year-old man was last seen near the Nemadji State Forest, which is a vast area over 92,000 acres. Earl Bakke is retired from law enforcement and started a drone business that helps to locate missing people. He reached out the Pine County…

Goal is to Coordinate Disaster Recovery and Response

Agencies come together to plan for floods, tornadoes and blizzards.

High flood waters caused several motorists to become stuck on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, in Flint, Mich. High water from storm flooding closed roads in Michigan. (Bronte Wittpenn/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) Talk about preparing for a natural disaster can often be just that–talk. The Northland does not have hurricanes, but it does have its share of huge rainstorms, big…

Hermantown Robotics Students Head To State Capitol To Talk Computer Science Education

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Hermantown Robotics students were down at the State Capitol this week speaking about computer science education in the schools. Minnesota has been ranked last in the nation for access to high school computer science courses for the last 3 years. The bill brought to the House Education Policy Committee will ensure all students have equal opportunities…

No Madeline Island Ice Challenges “Mad Island”

Film crew adjusts and finds "winter" at Fish Lake.

So, you want to film a movie that requires lots of ice and snow. You grew up in Superior and spent lots of time on Madeline Island. So, why not schedule the shoot for February? Good plan, but Mother Nature had other plans. That’s why a film crew found itself on the shores of Fish Lake, north of the Duluth….

All Women Crew at Superior Fire Department

SUPERIOR, Minn. — It’s a picture most of us have in our mind the people putting out fires and helping serious crash victims are men.  However, that has not been the case over the past two days in Superior.  The Fire Department Headquarters station has had an all-women crew on duty for the first time. Suzi Olson, the daughter of…

Community Action Duluth is Offering Free Tax Services

The organization aims to help 1,200 people each year with their taxes

DULUTH, Minn. — Doing your taxes can be stressful, especially if you’re filing for the first time. Community Action Duluth is looking to help. The Tax Site is offering free tax help for anyone with a household income of less than $64,000 a year. Each season, they aim to help 1,200 individuals and they’re currently on track to do so….

Coffee Conversation: Big Donation Drive to Benefit Local Outreach Organizations

SUPERIOR, WI. — A big donation drive hosted through the Lenroot-Maetzold and Downs-Lesage Funeral Homes is taking place this weekend to benefit local outreach organizations. Donation Drive Coordinator RaeAnn Sojka joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Wednesday with more information. The Donation Drive is taking place on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Sunday, Feb….

Pistol, 2 KG Of Fentanyl, Cocaine Seized During Duluth Man’s Arrest

DULUTH, Minn. — A significant amount of cocaine, fentanyl and meth are off the streets of Duluth after investigators executed a search warrant on Monday. Diaunte Shields Diaunte Shield, 43, of Duluth was arrested on felony warrants for parole violations involving drugs and weapons. The arrest happened 5:40 a.m. Monday at Shield’s residence in the 4700-block of Matterhorn Drive. During…

Third University of Minnesota President Finalist Knows Duluth and Smoked Fish

Dr. Rebecca Cunningham was third of three finalists visiting UMD as regents face state-wide president decision.

UMD had a chance to meet the last of three finalists for the University’s statewide top job. Dr. Rebecca Cunningham answered questions and spoke during a campus forum. She is currently the University of Michigan’s Vice President of Research and Innovation. Cunningham is a long-time faculty member at the school of Public Health and Medicine, after completing her residency in…

Lake Superior College Expansion Project Continues

LSC unveiled a precast concrete wall mock-up today, the next step in the construction project

DULUTH, Minn. — The expansion project at Lake Superior College is well underway. Once complete, the new T-building will add 9,000 square feet and provide a place for manufacturing students a place on the main campus. Currently, students studying welding, machine tool, and computer-aided design, attend classes at the temporary downtown campus. President Patricia Rogers said the expansion will benefit…

Coffee Conversation: Importance of Exercise to Maintain Good Heart Health

DULUTH, Minn. — February is American Heart Month, a time to encourage people to focus on their cardiovascular health. The American Heart Association says only one in five adults get enough exercise to maintain good health. Planet Fitness weighed in on the conversation Tuesday. Bailey Romans from Planet Fitness joined FOX 21 live on the morning newscast to talk more…

Martens, Owls, Ermine, the Unexpected

Sax-Zim Bog wildlife attracts amateurs and pros, big lenses and small.

“Not only are you able to actually see nature. There’s a lot of travels I do, and I don’t see any animals, hardly any birds, and to be able to have this in our backyard is awesome,” said local photographer, Amber Nichols. “There are people that come here from all over the world, to see owls in particular, and the…

2 officers, 1 first responder killed at the scene of a domestic call in Minnesota; suspect dead

A police vehicle with what appears to be bullet pockmarks on its windshield is parked near the scene where two police officers and a first responder were shot and killed Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, in Burnsville, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)BURNSVILLE, Minn. (AP) — Two police officers and a first responder were shot and killed early Sunday and a third officer…

Let’s Move Returns to the Depot and Gets Kids Active

DULUTH, Minn.– The St. Louis County Depot partnered with the Grandma’s Marathon Young Athletes Foundation to bring the second annual “Let’s Move” to kids in the area. Let’s Move is a day dedicated to getting kids moving, and the event was completely free. All kids K-5th grade were welcome. The event had various activities from baseball, soccer, biking and plenty…

Legacy Cannabis to Hold Grand Opening Saturday

  DULUTH, Minn. — Legacy Glassworks in downtown Duluth has rebranded to Legacy Cannabis and moved to Lincoln Park, and will now be hosting its grand opening Saturday. Legacy Cannabis has a full array of THC products, from edibles, to mints and chocolate bars. At Saturday’s opening, the shop will be launching a line of THC hard candy. The Minnesota…

Coffee Conversation: Family Freedom Center to hold Black History Brunch

DULUTH, Minn. — In honor of Black History Month, the Family Freedom Center will hold a Black History Month Brunch at the Washington Center on Saturday, Feb. 16. Family Freedom Center Director of Teen Engagement Pez Davila joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Friday to talk about the event and its purpose. The brunch will take place from 11 am…

Comedian Maria Bamford Talks Duluth Comedy Festival, Book Signing

Bamford performs at the NorShor Theatre Saturday before holding a book signing at Zenith Bookstore on Sunday

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth-raised comedian Maria Bamford is headlining the Duluth Comedy Festival at the NorShor Theatre this weekend.  She’s also holding a book signing at Zenith Bookstore. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger talked with Bamford about her upcoming visit.  And, well, she was her usual authentic self, of course. “I am a mess Dan hanger. I will, I will guarantee…

Dexter the Bipedal Dog Visits Duluth Sport Show

Dexter is taking it one step at a time and inspiring others to do the same

DULUTH, Minn — This weekend at the Duluth Sport Show you can meet a viral dog who has been taking the Internet by storm — on only two legs! Dexter the Brittany Spaniel has over a million followers on TikTok. What makes Dexter such a good boy? The pup from Ouray, Colorado gained fans around the world with his unique…

Duluth International Airport Receives $10 Million Grant to Replace Air Traffic Control Tower

Construction will begin in 2025 and DLH says there will be no major impact on travelers

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth International Airport is set to receive a $10 million dollar federal grant to relocate the air traffic control tower. The current tower is one of the oldest in the country. It was commissioned in 1963 and while it has had updates since then, the tower does not meet current FAA guidelines. Duluth Airport Executive Director…

Second U Of M Presidential Finalist Visit

DULUTH, Minn. — The University of Minnesota system is continuing its process of searching for a new President. Laura Bloomberg is second of the three finalists visiting Duluth. UMD students, faculty, and staff were able to attend an on-campus forum, followed by a reception to learn more about her. Bloomberg is no stranger to Minnesota as she was born in…

UMD Chocolate Lab Hosts Annual Valentine’s Sale

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD Chocolate Lab experts hosted their annual Valentine’s Day sale this week. Students in the Department of Chemical Engineering take a course on chocolate making. Part of the course is to travel to Trinidad to harvest cocoa and then bring back beans to eventually make it into chocolate. A lot of the principles in chocolate making relate…