Minnesota

Deaths Of 3 People At Breezy Point Ruled Murder-Suicide

Investigators say man shot a mother and daughter before killing himself.

  (Updated September 8, 5:30 p.m.) — The three deaths at a Breezy Point townhouse have been ruled a double-murder and suicide, according to the Crow Wing County Attorney’s office. The two people murdered have been identified as 54-year-old Melanie Michele Jansen of Maple Grove, and her daughter, 29-year-old Hannah Nicole Parmenter of Elk River. The man who authorities say…

Coffee Conversation: Lake Superior Harvest Festival at Bayfront Park

DULUTH, Minn. — The 2023 Lake Superior Harvest Festival returns on Saturday, Sept. 9 to Bayfront Festival Park. The Harvest Festival is a project of the Lake Superior Sustainable Farming Association, and was founded as an educational outreach program aimed to showcase the local agricultural production of food throughout the Lake Superior region of northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. Festival…

Peat Soil A Challenge In Barnum Area Wildfire

Fire is now 85% contained, and 10 acres larger than first estimate.

Photo: AJ Hoffman/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service UPDATE (September 8, 2:15 p.m.) — The fire is more under control, the size is about ten acres larger than originally thought, and it may be a fire that could smolder for a while. That is the latest assessment from the Minnesota Interagency Information Center. The fire was 85% contained as of Friday…

New USW Members At Northshore Mining Reach First-Ever Contract With Cliffs

Hundreds of workers at Northshore Mining in Babbitt and Silver Bay have voted to ratify a first-ever three-year contract with their employer, Cleveland Cliffs. The workers recently joined the United Steelworkers Union. USW District 11 Director Emil Ramirez said the agreement “includes a lump sum bonus, annual wage increases, enhanced protections for job security and improvements in occupational health and…

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers visits with students and teachers at a local school

MAPLE, Wis. — The Governor visited Northwestern High School in Maple Thursday morning. He walked the halls, speaking with students, teachers and staff. He said he enjoyed being there and spoke about the seriousness of the teacher shortage. He noted that rural schools like Northwestern have at least one unique advantage on larger city schools. Rural schools tend to have…

‘Drivers Licenses For All’ Launches In October, Officials Answer Questions Before Rollout

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Prior to an official launch on Oct. 1, Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) officials offered details on a program that intends to offer “drivers licenses for all,” regardless of current immigration status. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation into law last March that was the culmination of a long-running campaign to give more than 80,000 undocumented immigrants…

Coffee Conversation: 17th Annual Minnesota Mile Friday in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The 17th Annual Minnesota Mile will take participants on a 1-mile course along the scenic Skyline Parkway in Duluth on Friday, September 8. Grandma’s Marathon Public Relations & Marketing Director Zach Schneider joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to talk about the event and the fall running season. The race is an excellent option for participants of all…

Bass Lake Residents Clean Up After Wind Topples 200-Plus Trees

BASS LAKE, Minn. — Wild weather Tuesday evening on the Iron Range created damaging winds that hit the Gilbert, Aurora and Hoyt Lakes region. Courtesy: Alicia Schroeder Powerlines came down, along with hundreds of trees, especially on Bass Lake – just southeast of Gilbert. The National Weather Service does not believe a tornado caused the damage.  They believe it was…

Wisconsin Secretary of State Visits Superior

SUPERIOR, Wisc. –The Wisconsin Secretary of State wants to correct myths and disinformation that have been circulating about what her office and local clerks can do. And can’t do. The first item Sarah Godlewski wants to clear up is that her office does not administer elections. But she is responsible for witnessing and validating both the certificate of votes for…

Coffee Conversation: UMD’s NRRI to hold Open House Focused on the Future

DULUTH, Minn. — University of Minnesota Duluth’s Natural Resources Research Institute is opening its doors to the public (Sept. 16) to highlight research focused on the future. NRRI Marketing & Communications Manager June Breneman joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to discuss current areas of integrated research aimed at challenges today. The open house is taking place Saturday, Sept.16 from…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Bethel Celebrates 150 Years, Concert for Recovery Returns

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Bethel is celebrating 150 years with a two-day event, featuring the third annual Concert for Recovery. Executive Director Dennis Cummings joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to talk about the gathering and its purpose. This event is in celebration of mental health and recovery from substance abuse disorders sponsored by the Bethel and supporters. It’s free…

20 Trees Catch Fire In Solway Township

SOLWAY TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A wildfire took over nearly two-dozen trees in Solway Township Tuesday. Fire Chief Brandon Porter said 20 large trees — mostly pine — started on fire around 12:45 p.m. The fire happened on the 4300 block of Caribou Lake Road on private land. Grand Lake and Hermantown fire departments responded as mutual aid, along with the…

Wildfire Hits 40 Acres in Carlton County

At least one homeowner evacuated Tuesday as fire remained stubborn

The wildfire that had people scrambling near Barnum Monday night, continued to cause problems when the sun came up Tuesday morning. It all started in a swampy marshland area in Carlton County, southeast of Barnum. Fire crews from several communities responded on the ground to try and knock the fire out. Air equipment was also brought in, so that both…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Couple Publishes Two Children’s Books

DULUTH, Minn. — Local couple Isaac and Jennifer Hunt joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to talk about the making of two children’s books recently launched. “Snowy Halloween” and “The Yellow Dragon” are now available on Amazon & Barnes and Noble. The two have been working on a 3rd book which they plan to release in November. It’s called “The…

Cloquet’s Annual Labor Day Parade

CLOQUET, Minn. –It’s a tradition in Carlton County and Cloquet to have a Labor Day parade. With the great weather today, the parade was very well attended. Scott Loons was one of many at the parade and explained why the parade is important to him. “Well, it’s a family tradition, bring the kids down, support labor. I’m in a union,…

Backpack Give Away

DULUTH, Minn. — For students heading back to school this week, it’s important to come prepared with a backpack and the school supplies needed. And there are people who want to make sure every student has a backpack and the supplies needed for the school year. One of those people is Mike Letica, who organized and collected between 400 and…

Abandoned Structure Deemed Total Loss After Fire Broke Out Sunday

EAGLE TOWNSHIP, Minn. — An abandoned structure is a total loss after fire broke out Sunday evening. At 10:36 p.m. on Sunday, September 3, the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a structure fire at 1743 Kalli Road in Eagle Township. Carlton County Sheriff’s Office responded and found the structure to be fully engulfed. Cromwell-Wright Fire Department was…

One dead, Two Hospitalized after Two-Vehicle Accident in Taconite

TACONITE, Minn. — One person is dead and two others are hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a two-vehicle accident Sunday night in Itasca County. According to Minnesota State Patrol, the Honda Civic was southbound County Road 7, attempting to turn northbound on Highway 169 in Taconite. The Chevrolet Silverado, hauling a fifth-wheel camper, was southbound on Highway 169 approaching County…

St. Louis County: Two Juveniles Hospitalized after Separate ATV Accidents

ST. LOUIS COUNTY — Two juveniles were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries in St. Louis County this weekend after two separate ATV accidents. The first accident happened on Saturday, Sept. 2 just before 4 pm on Randa road, which is on the north side of Lake Vermillion. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, a side-by-side ATV was being…

“Eat Mor Chikin”

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s true, Chick-fil-A will be building and opening a store in Duluth. It is scheduled to open about a year from now. But on Saturday hundreds and hundreds of people were given the chance to have some Chick-fil-A. Yes, that is the Chick-fil-A logo, and yes that is in Duluth. It’s likely to be a year before…

Structure Fire in Duluth, No Injuries Reported

DULUTH, Minn. — Structure fire in Duluth on Friday, Sept. 1 causes $120,000 in damages to building, and damage to the building’s contents is estimated at $150,000. No one was injured. Duluth Fire Department responded to reports of a structure fire at 3:15 pm on Friday at 4121 N 81st Avenue W. According to a press release, officers from the…

School Resource Officers May Not Be in School

DULUTH, Minn. –School Resource Officers play a variety of roles in the schools where they’re assigned. But now a new law passed by the Minnesota Legislator has created uncertainty about how much restraint SROs can use when dealing with students. This law has left many police departments and sheriff’s offices in a quandary, worried about possible lawsuits that could be…

St. Scholastica Freshmen Move into Dorms

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s a day students are excited and look forward to while parents have mixed feelings about college move-in day. These were most assuredly the emotions that were in place at St. Scholastica this morning as freshmen arrived on campus Upperclassmen were on hand being cheerleaders for new students and their parents as they entered the drive to…

Francisco Hockey is Finalist in MN Cup Competition

HERMANTOWN, Minn.  – A Hermantown company is a finalist in the Minnesota Cup Competition.  Francisco Hockey’s founder Joe Francisco presented his final one-minute pitch to Venture capitalists and others Thursday morning at the Carlson School of Management in Minneapolis. Before he left for the Cities, Francisco talked with FOX 21 about his company. Francisco Hockey started five years ago to…

Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke

DULUTH, Minn. —  It’s not often the temperatures in the Northland get so high that we need to be worried about heat exhaustion or heat stroke. However, over the next few days, the high temperatures will continue increasing daily, until Sunday when it will be downright hot. With it being the Labor Day holiday weekend, more people are likely to…

New Airport Terminal Announced for Sky Harbor

DULUTH, Minn. — Park Point’s Sky Harbor is receiving a few new additions. During a groundbreaking ceremony today, the Duluth Airport Authority announced a new $2.3 million airport terminal and a $1.4 million equipment facility. The combined $3.7 million project also hopes to improve accessibility and update amenities. They received 90% of the funds through the Investment and Infrastructure Job…

Cass County Woman Found Safe

Cass County Sheriff's Office Had Asked For The Public's Help

WALKER, Minn. — A missing Cass County woman has been found safe. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office had asked the public for help in finding a missing woman in Shingobee Township, Walker. In a press release Wednesday morning, the sheriff’s office said 38-year-old Amanda Gould was found safe. The agency said no other information was being released at this time….

Radio Controlled Cars Race to the Finish

IRON RANGE — Many people have hobbies. They come in all styles, sophistication, and sound. There’s a spot on the Iron Range where one hobby is going in circles…but in a good way. It’s getting some traction, and making some noise. Fox 21’s photojournalist Adam Jagunich tells us the story through his videography. Categories: Minnesota, News

Concordia Alums Gathered for Corn Feed at Lester Park

DULUTH, Minn. — Alumni from Concordia College in Moorhead that live in the Twin Ports gathered at Lester River Park for a corn feed picnic dinner. Corn feeds have been a tradition for Concordia Alums since the 1960s. Here in Duluth, alums have been gathering in Lester Park since 2017. Their college’s mascot is Kernel Cobb. Alongside the corn, attendees…

Ribbon Cutting Held for New Stella Maris Academy High School

DULUTH, Minn. — Stella Maris Academy just revealed their latest addition to the Woodland and Catholic community today. Starting this fall, around 150 students between 7th and 10th grade will be welcomed at their new high school campus. They have been renovating the campus since October 2021. The 9 classrooms, student lounge, and chapel is only one part to the…

Coffee Conversation: 19th Annual Cornucopia Art Crawl

Cornucopia, WI — The Cornucopia Art Crawl is returning to the charming town for its 19th year on Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 10. On Tuesday, Aug. 29, Art Crawl Committee Members Nancy Moye and Dorothy Hoffman joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to talk about the event and its purpose. Over 40 artists are taking part, and that includes photographers,…

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Can Help Ease Restless Nights

DULUTH, Minn. — If you have problems with snoring, mouth breathing, teeth grinding, sleep apnea, or speech disorders it may stem from your tongue being in the wrong position of your mouth. Hygienists from Mount Royal Dentistry have been offering Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy since 2020 through individual sessions online. But this summer, seven adolescents attended group therapy sessions to work…

Vandalism Strikes in New Place

Ballfield facility in Duluth/Proctor sprayed with racial slurs and religious symbols

Several police departments in the Northland have been dealing with vandalism cases in the past several weeks. One of the most recent was along the Duluth/Proctor border this past weekend. Duluth Police say officers responded to a report of graffiti at Klang Park along Boundary Avenue late Saturday afternoon. The graffiti included offensive racial slurs and religious symbols. There were…

Fond du Lac Band Hosts Science and Medicine Fair

DULUTH, Minn. — Families gathered at Park Point’s Beach House to learn about science and the medical field. The Center of American Indian and Minority Health and AICHO held their second science and medicine fair Sunday. The event looked to bring awareness to Anishinaabe culture in the local area as well as the importance of science and medicinal professions. 22…

MnDOT To Use Text Alerts For Highway Road Closures

  St. PAUL, Minn. — Tired of being surprised by road closures? The Minnesota Department of Transportation will soon be able to notify drivers. MnDOT has entered an agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to use Wireless Emergency Alerts alerting road closures to the public. MnDOT plans to use these text alerts to notify only for highway closures that…

2 Dead After Single Vehicle Crash in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Two people are pronounced dead after a single vehicle crash at the intersection of Haines Rd and Skyline Pkwy. According to the Duluth Squads, they responded to a report of a crash at 1:21 p.m. Saturday.  Once arrived, officers determined that a 2001 Ford F-150 was traveling southbound, before leaving the roadway, and striking a concrete barrier…

Cass County Sheriff Arrests Mother in Connection with Death of 23-Month-Old Child

CASS LAKE, Minn. — Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports that at 9:34 PM on August 19th, 2023, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center received a 911 call reporting a twenty-three-month-old child was reportedly run over by a vehicle in the Prescott Housing Area in Wilkinson Township, rural Cass Lake, MN. Officers responded to the residence and performed lifesaving…