Minnesota

Coffee Conversation: Denfeld Theater Presents First Production in 5 Years, “Chicago”

DULUTH, Minn. — After a five-year hiatus, the Duluth Denfeld High School Theater Dept. is back in the limelight; presenting a rendition of the classic musical “Chicago” (May 18-20.) Cast members Reagan Kern (Roxie) and Madi Watts (Velma) joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to talk about the departments renewed momentum + the upcoming performance. The storyline of Chicago is…

Suspect Arrested In Duluth Shooting That Hit Bystander With Stray Bullet

DULUTH, Minn. — The man accused of a shooting last weekend near downtown Duluth that struck an innocent bystander with a stray bullet was arrested Tuesday evening in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, according to the Duluth Police Department. The 36-year-old suspect was taken into custody without incident around 6:15 p.m. “on an arrest warrant for 2nd Degree Assault, Felon in Possession…

Marijuana Legalization Closer In Minnesota As Conference Committee Wraps Up Work

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Cannabis is almost assuredly coming to Minnesota, with lawmakers signing off Friday morning on a final version of the bill legalizing recreational marijuana. Among the proposals the conference committee agreed on in its final meeting is the tax rate and distribution between the state and local governments. “Gross receipts tax will be 10%,” Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, and House…

Whitewater Rafting Businesses Starting Their Summer Seasons

CARLTON/SCANLON, Minn. — Now that flooding has settled, and river levels have lowered whitewater rafting companies are ready to go for the seasons. Swiftwater Adventures in Carlton started their season beginning of May. The owner says conditions have been on the higher end of flows but are still safe for those wanting to get out on the water. And anybody…

Knowing Your Neighbor: Honor Flight Northland

DULUTH, Minn. — After 14 years, the Northland Honor Flight is still remembering and honoring the sacrifice of veterans by bringing them on a meaningful journey to the nation’s Capital. 93 veterans along with family members and volunteers left from the Duluth Airport and traveled to Washington D.C Saturday  May 13 to visit memorials dedicated to their service. “Everything was…

Lake Superior College Graduates Celebrate

Commencement marks next stage in many lives

There was no shortage of gowns, tassels and mortar boards Monday at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. It was a day for students from Lake Superior College to celebrate and go through their commencement ceremonies. Almost eight hundred students graduated. Their accomplishments included certificates, diplomas and associate degrees. Their studies covered 67 different program areas. The emotions included a mixed bag…

6th Graders on Quest to Discover the River

1,500 converge to learn more about the St. Louis River.

DULUTH, Minn.  Sixth graders from across the region had a chance to find out what the water in our area is all about. Its official title is ‘2023 St. Louis River Quest.’ As a practical matter, it teaches fifteen hundred sixth graders about Lake Superior, the harbor, the St. Louis River, and everything connected with those waters. The kids learn…

Coffee Conversation: Leadership Duluth Launches “Just Breathe 988” Awareness Campaign

DULUTH, Minn. — The 2023 Leadership Duluth class has launched an area-wide campaign called “just breathe 988” to bring awareness to the new nation-wide 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. Campaign Leader Jerry Thoreson and Klear Water Coaching & Wellness Owner Stacy Crawford joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to talk about the campaign and its mission. Thoreson says, the goal…

Bill Would Essentially Ban Active Shooter Simulations At Minnesota Schools

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A bill working through the Minnesota legislature would overhaul to how active shooter drills are conducted in schools. This practice has sadly become more common in recent years. Those behind this bill argue that there is a better method than having schools simulate active shooter situations. The legislation would essentially ban active shooter training that simulates real-life scenarios,…

Critical Wildfire Conditions Move Into Northland

Warmer air, dry fuels, low humidity and wind are creating a high danger for wildfires in the Northland through Monday evening. A wildfire ignited Saturday near Adolph in St. Louis County. The Grand Lake Volunteer Fire Department said the flames spread quickly. Multiple agencies assisted in successfully extinguishing the flames, including a DNR helicopter with a 210-gallon bucket to drop…

10-Year Anniversary Of The Historic Germann Road Wildfire

The critical fire conditions in the Northland Sunday come on the 10-year anniversary of the Germann Road Wildfire in Douglas County. The fire, which is one of the largest in Wisconsin state history, consumed more than 7,400 acres and destroyed 104 structures in the towns of Gordon, Highland and Barnes. Twenty-three of the structures destroyed were residences. The DNR said…

Lake Superior Zoo Hosts Mother’s Day Craft Sale

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s finally Mother’s Day, and that means all kinds of fun events and activities happened around town. The Lake Superior Zoo hosted its third annual Mother’s Day Craft and Plant Sale Sunday. Around a dozen vendors showed off their best Mother’s Day crafts for eager shoppers. The zoo parking lot was filled with all kinds of goods,…

Minneapolis City Council Nomination Brawlers Could Be Expelled From Minn. Democratic Party

Courtesy: FOX 9 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Democratic Party will consider expelling anyone involved in a brawl that broke out at a political event to nominate candidates for a Minneapolis City Council seat. At least two people were injured in Saturday’s confrontation. The head of the state Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, Chair Ken Martin, said on Twitter that he plans to…

Governor’s Fishing Opener

MANKATO, MINN. — While in the Duluth area, the weather was best described as windy and raw, it was still much better than what had taken place in Mankato where Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, stood in for Governor Tim Walz The rain fell all morning on the 75th Governor’s Fishing opener. It was held on Madison Lake, but the rain…

Pancakes in Fredenberg Raise Funds for Volunteer Fire Department

FREDENBERG, MINN. –In Fredenberg, people enjoyed a delicious breakfast as the volunteer fire department hosted its annual pancake breakfast fundraiser. The place was packed Saturday morning as hungry people stopped by for a bite of some pancakes and eggs. Volunteers from the town were on flipping and cooking duty, as they served up flap-jacks. For nearly 60 years, pancakes have…

Ursa Minor’s Brew Wins Gold Medal

DULUTH, MINN. –There’s news out of Nashville that a local Duluth brewery has won a medal for its beer at the 2023 World Beer Cup Ceremony. The competition featured over 10,000 entries from 2,300 breweries from around the world. Ursa Minor and specifically its EQUUANIMINTY brew brought home a gold medal from the competition  The gold medal is for Ursa…

LSC Auto Club Brings Back Car Show

DULUTH, Minn. — The Lake Superior Auto Club was back hosting its student-run car show today at the college. From classic Ford Mustangs to vintage trucks restored to mint condition, the LSC car show filled a parking lot with a wide variety of cars that would satisfy just about any car buff. Some owners showed off the finer details of…

Minnesota Fishing Season Opener

FREDENBERG, Minn. — The fishing opener is like an unofficial holiday for Minnesotans, and after a very long and challenging winter, being able to finally fish on an open lake is like a breath of fresh air. “It was a tough winter, the ice was never all that great so we didn’t get out as much as we wanted to…

Warrior Brewing is Expanding

DULUTH, Minn. — Founded just two years ago in 2021, Warrior Brewing, has seen a good deal of success and that’s meant they’re looking to expand. Matt Caple is the Co-Owner of the brewery and says he’s been very happy with how the business has grown. “The biggest change with us recently obviously, is we opened a taproom last September…

On the Menu: Mother’s Day Buffets

Lincoln Park restaurant hopes its barbeque and more will give moms a break.

DULUTH, Minn. — The day for celebrating and showing love for your mom is coming up on Sunday. Many restaurants across the region are getting ready for their Mother’s Day Buffet. One of those is Howard’s Que in Lincoln Park. Friday, owner Howard Ross and his crew were fine-tuning things for another year. He gets a lot of joy seeing…

Minnesota Moms Fishing Challenge And Free Fishing For All Moms This Weekend

MINNESOTA — For all mothers out there the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting you to join the Mother’s Day weekend fishing challenge. The DNR says moms who live in Minnesota can also fish for free Saturday and Sunday. To enter the contest all you need is join the Minnesota Moms Fishing Challenge Facebook group. Then submit a picture…

Fox Along the North Shore; Waterfalls and More

Area photographer helps Meteorologist Ken Slama get started behind the lens.

This week for Fox Along the North Shore: Waterfalls and More, Fox21 Meteorologist Ken Slama was at the falls and river at Lester Park with photographer Joe Polecheck. They talked about tips and advice on how to photograph waterfalls. There are dozens of waterfalls to choose from. Starting in Duluth and heading all the way to the northeastern tip of…

Duluth Airport Ready For Summer Travel, Growing Great Lakes Cruises

DULUTH, Minn. — The busiest season for air travel at the Duluth International Airport is about to take off. And there’s a new excitement with airport management involving cruises. Executive Director Tom Werner told FOX 21 the growing Great Lakes cruises in and out of the Duluth Port are providing growing demand from airlines at the airport. Werner said United…

“Where is…?” Answers For Duluth Tourists Moving To Canal Park Restaurant

Visit Duluth solidifies its move from downtown to Canal Park

Tourists in Duluth will soon get their questions answered–inside a Duluth restaurant. Visit Duluth announced Thursday that they are moving their welcome to a spot inside Grandma’s restaurant in Canal Park. The office moved out of downtown Duluth and down to Canal Park last summer, and the city said it had good results. Beginning Memorial Day weekend, Visit Duluth is…

Gun Safety Proposals Take Big Step Forward At Minnesota Legislature

ST. PAUL, Minn, (AP) — A pair of gun violence prevention measures long sought by Minnesota Democrats were added Wednesday to a broad public safety budget bill, significantly raising their chances of becoming law. By unanimous voice votes, an all-Democratic House-Senate conference committee approved expanded background checks for gun transfers and a separate proposal for a “red flag law.” It would allow…

Merryweather Inn to Host Mothers Day Tea

DULUTH, Minn. — Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and what better time to treat mom to tea and treats. The Merryweather Inn is a bed and breakfast in Duluth, but for this special occasion they will be hosting Mother’s Day tea. Along with a glass of champagne, people can enjoy scones, sandwiches and pastries while dressed to the…

Stabbing Outside Of Restaurant In Mountain Iron

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. — The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says a stabbing took place Wednesday night in Mountain Iron. According to a press release it happened just before 5 p.m. outside of Adventures Restaurant on Mountain Iron Drive. The release states all parties involved in the assault fled the scene prior to the arrival of law enforcement. Both the…

Italian-American Club Spaghetti Dinner

DULUTH, Minn. — It was time again for the annual Spaghetti Dinner at the Italian-American Club of Duluth as they served up hundreds of plates to support a great cause. Since 1974 the club has hosted the dinner to help raise money for scholarships for relatives of club members. Along with the delicious dinner, there was a raffle with gifts…

Allina Health Care Workers Reach Tentative Agreement, Averting Strike

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A tentative agreement between health care workers and Allina Health has been reached, averting a planned strike. The bargaining teams for more than 500 SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa members who work at Allina, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, lab technicians and more, reached a tentative agreement with Allina management for all the groups the union represents. “I’m incredibly proud…

Connecting Principles: Purposeful Parenting & the Healthy Launch of a Young Adult

Minn. — In this week’s Connecting Principles segment, we checked in with Minnesota-based Dr. Jack Stotlzfus to discuss what constitutes the healthy launch of a young adult transitioning out of the home. Stoltzfus connects the principles of purposeful parenting, whereupon parents can purposefully prepare their kids to enter into adulthood. Take a listen. For more information, resources, or to read…

Looking for Signs of Piping Plover

DULUTH, MINN.  –The warmer days mean it’s once again migration season for shorebirds coming back to the Great Lakes. The St. Louis River Alliance is monitoring both the Wisconsin and Minnesota beaches for the critically endangered Piping Plover. They have a team of employees and volunteers who work day and night to monitor the beaches for any signs of the…

Old, Unused Portion of Edgewater Resort Demolished

DULUTH, MINN. — Part of the history of the Edgewater in Duluth slowly–and finally–disappeared today. As of Tuesday morning, only a small portion of one wall remained, by afternoon, it was gone. It is part of the first phase of the remodel of the Edgewater Resort and Waterpark. It was not part of the current complex, but a remaining two-story…

Nurses Week Comes Amidst Legislative Debate

Duluth Nurses Push Current Bill; Oppose Any Changes by Hospitals

DULUTH, Minn. – The stakes are high in Minnesota as national Nurses Week continues. A legislative fight is underway at the state capitol over what is called the “Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act.” That fight came to the Duluth Labor Temple Tuesday. Nurses and their union representatives said Minnesota hospitals are not following parts of the agreement reached during…

Minnesota Prepares For Near-Total Ban On ‘Forever Chemicals’

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota is on the verge of banning non-essential uses of “forever chemicals.” And lawmakers say they are naming the legislation after a woman who spent the last months of her life campaigning for restrictions that will be some of the toughest in the country. Legislators, environmentalists and family members paid tribute Tuesday to Amara Strande….