Minnesota

Minnesota Teacher Shortage Is Getting Worse, New Report Shows

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The struggle to retain teachers and recruit new educators to the profession continues to worsen in Minnesota. That’s according to the Teacher Supply and Demand Report, which is published every two years by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. This year’s report was released on Jan. 20, and details the employment outlook for licensed teachers and other data…

Coffee Conversation: Steppers Dance Show Returns Post-Pandemic

DULUTH, Minn. — Local dance groups are teaming up to present Steppers Dance Show for the first time since 2019. 13 different teams/studios will perform 30 routines at the Duluth East Gym on January 24 at 6:30 pm. Duluth East Coach Kimberly Chick Joined FOX21 on the morning show to preview the event. Special performances by both the CSS and UMD…

Question To Duluth City Councilors: Are You Running For Mayor?

DULUTH, Minn. – As a third candidate says he’s running for Duluth’s next mayor, FOX 21 is confirming if anyone on the Duluth city council – current and former – is up for the challenge. Over the past week, we’ve heard back from all but one city councilor on whether they are running or thinking of running for mayor this…

Coffee Conversation: Riverside Soy Candles and For Floral Sake Host DIY Winter Workshop

DULUTH, Minn. — Riverside Soy Candles and For Floral Sake team-up to hold DIY Winter Workshop. Create your own soy candle and build a colorful bouquet while sipping on morning mimosas at Riverside Soy Candles. Beth Hanson from For Floral Sake and Danette Thacker from Riverside Soy Candles previewed the workshop on FOX21’s morning newscast. The event is taking place…

1st Time Cider Event Held at the DECC

DULUTH, Minn. –The first Cidery in Duluth was Duluth Cider which opened back in 2018. Since then, Duluthians have grown fond of Cider culture. With the DECC hosting Cider North on Saturday, 13 different Minnesota Brewed Cider Companies set up shop at the Harborside Ballroom. But what is Cider? “So cider making is wine making,” said  Jason Dayton, the co-founder…

Simply Ballroom Hosts Art Showing

DULUTH, Minn.– Simply Ballroom in Lincoln Park hosted their first art showing of the year. Since the opening of the dance studio in October, every month they welcome artists from across the Northland to display their art. This month featured artists are from Duluth’s TBI Residential and Community Services, created by people suffering from traumatic brain injuries. The art gallery…

Ciders Highlighted in DECC Event

Duluth, Minn. –It was a first in Duluth,the Cider North event at the DECC, featured ciders from around the area and around the state. So what is cider, it’s not beer and it’s not wine? So cider making is wine making,” said Jason Dayton the co-founder of MN Cider and V.P. of MN Cider Guild said, ”We’re actually all bonded…

DEDA Denies Duluth Business Owner’s Proposal To Redevelop Former Kozy Building

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth business owner has been shot down with his proposal to restore and develop the condemned former Kozy building in downtown Duluth, also known as the historic Pastoret Terrace. The city of Duluth issued a press release Friday about the decision: “The Duluth Economic Development Authority (DEDA) has declined a recently submitted proposal in response to…

Musical Bingo Fundraiser Approaching To Support Local Arts, Music Community

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A unique Musical Bingo fundraiser is coming up to support the local arts scene. It’s happening Tuesday, Feb. 7 at VIP in Superior. You encouraged to sing along to well-known songs sung by the Mackie Brothers while dabbing away on your bingo cards to help raise funds for free community music provided by Siggy’s Musical Garden and…

Tour of Essentia Duluth Heritage Sports Center

Travel through Duluth's rich hockey history, into the locker rooms and onto the ice in this special segment. 

DULUTH, Min.- Fox 21’s Cam Derr is joined with Duluth Heritage Chair Pat Francisco for a special look inside the Essentia Duluth Heritage Center. Travel through Duluth’s rich hockey history, into the locker rooms and onto the ice in this special segment. Categories: Community, Friday Night Frenzy, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Sports

Red Cross Hosts Blood Drive In Cloquet

Cloquet, Minn.– In Cloquet, American Red Cross hosted a Community Blood Drive. January is National Blood Donation Month, over the past week there has been multiple drives across the Northland Many stations were set up as over 15 people participating the day long donation in Cloquet…which ran from nine AM to three PM. Red Cross partnered with the NFL to…

UPDATE: Man Paralyzed After Snowmobile Crash During Race In Cass County

UPDATE (Jan 19, 10:35 a.m.) — The young man who crashed his snowmobile during a race event on Sunday is paralyzed from the lower chest bone down. The 26-year-old is Cody Margelofsky of Mayville, Wisconsin. According to a GoFundMe, Margelofsky was thrown from his snowmobile where he broke his back and severed his spinal cord. He is currently receiving care…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Fiber Guild Celebrates 50 Years with Exhibition

DULUTH, Minn. —  Opening Tuesday, January 24, “The Duluth Fiber Handcrafters Guild” exhibition at the Tweed Museum of Art. For fifty years, the Duluth Fiber Guild has been gathering in fellowship around an appreciation of textile arts, sharing traditions and exploring the creative limits of the medium. Curator Annie Dugan and Fiber Artist Louise Young joined FOX21 on the morning show to talk about the…

Coffee Conversation: Realtor Tom Acton Talks Current State of Housing Market

DULUTH, Minn. — Some good news for those looking to buy or sell their homes, the red-hot housing market is starting to cool. However, high demand and limited selection still remains relevant. RE/MAX Realtor Tom “Action” Acton joined FOX21 on the morning show to talk about the current state of the housing market. For more information on RE/MAX Results or…

Minnesota House Passes Abortion Rights Bill, Sending It To Senate

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota House Democrats passed an abortion bill during a floor vote Thursday night as the U.S. health and human services secretary visited the state to promote the move. The bill was passed on a 69-65 vote, with all Republicans and one Democrat (Gene Pelowski of Winona) voting no. The measure would guarantee abortion access in state law….

Blood Donations Needed

Blood Donation Month

Duluth, Minn. — January is National Blood Donor month. Donations are always critically needed, and can help save the lives of people who are not just getting emergency care, but also those who have cancer treatments, organ transplant operations, surgeries, and more. In the northland, Memorial Blood Centers has four locations: Duluth, Superior, Hibbing and Virginia. You can schedule an…

Minnesota’s Unemployment Rate Increased To 2.5%, Remains Near An All-Time Low

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota’s unemployment rate increased to 2.5% in December as hiring slowed and more people entered the labor force. The jobless rate has ticked up for five straight months, though it remains near an all-time low. Minnesota employers made some large layoffs in December, though it doesn’t look like a recession in the labor market, Economic Development Commissioner Steve…

The DECC To Host Free ‘Big Movies’ In February

Parking will also be free for the event nights

DULUTH, Minn. — If you like free and enjoy movies, the DECC is ready for you every Thursday in February for Big Movies @ The DECC. “This event features family movies on a big screen in Harbor Side Ballroom, a BYO -Blanket or Bean Bag affair,” said Lucie Amundsen, DECC communication director.  Big Movies at the DECC is part of…

20-Year Sentence For Duluth Man Who Stabbed Pregnant Girlfriend

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison for stabbing his pregnant girlfriend more than a dozen times. The sentence against Anthony Holloway, 36, is the maximum allowed under state law for attempted second-degree intentional murder. The stabbing happened last March in an apartment on the 1700-block of Kenwood Avenue. The 32-year-old victim was…

Janet Kennedy Becomes Duluth Council’s First Black President

DULUTH, Minn. – Councilor Janet Kennedy is making history as the first Black president of the city council. It was a unanimous vote by the council to elect Kennedy for the top spot. She replaces Arik Forsman, who remains on the council. “This is an historic time for all Duluthians and this election lifts up the voices of our African…

Sunset Snowshoe at Glensheen Mansion

DULUTH, Minn.– Adventure awaits at Glensheen Mansion as the property’s sunset snowshoeing kicked off this weekend for the winter season. The snow covered estate welcomes visitors to explore the grounds of the historic destination for free. Snowshoes are available to borrow, but they are not required. Guests can also hike the area. Organizers recommend checking out the Lake Superior Shoreline…

Art Professor Sues After Firing Over Prophet Muhammad Images

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Attorneys for an adjunct art professor said Tuesday she is suing the Minnesota university that dismissed her after a Muslim student objected to depictions of the Prophet Muhammad in a global art course, while the university admitted to a “misstep” and plans to hold public conversations about academic freedom. In her lawsuit, Erika López Prater alleges that…

Court To Hear Appeal Of Ex-Officer In Murder Of George Floyd

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — An attorney for Derek Chauvin is planning to ask an appeals court Wednesday to throw out the former Minneapolis police officer’s convictions in the murder of George Floyd, arguing that numerous legal and procedural errors deprived him of a fair trial. Floyd died on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin, who is white, pinned the Black man to the ground…

Coffee Conversation: MN Schools Seek Extended Covid-19 Relief Funds

DULUTH, Minn. — While the brunt of Covid clears out, so does its funding relief. However, there may be some hope for schools in Minnesota. Governor Tim Walz announced Tuesday plans for a $12 billion budget proposal focusing on kids and families — with a big portion on the education front. We caught up with Duluth Public Schools Superintendent John…

Duluth Chamber President Pleads Guilty To DWI

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Chamber President Matthew Baumgartner pleaded guilty to a DWI charge. According to court records, on Friday Baumgartner pleaded guilty to one Driving While Intoxicated charge, and prosecutors dropped a second charge. He was sentenced to a year in jail, and a fine of $2,000. However, he can stay out of jail, and pay only 50 dollars…

Veterans Stories Weather COVID Storm

More stories of Veterans are still wanted by the Veterans Memorial Hall Program in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — We all know that COVID and the pandemic interrupted almost everything and everybody. And the effort to collect the stories of our veterans was no exception. In Duluth, the Veterans Memorial Hall Program has preserved the stories of over two hundred veterans. But the important work hit a roadblock when meeting with aging veterans face-to-face became a…

Coffee Conversation: “Best Date Ever” at Lake Superior Zoo

DULUTH, Minn. — In celebration of Valentines Day, Best Date Ever is returning to the Lake Superior Zoo on select dates in February. Zoo-goers and their dates will get to create a valentine’s themed enrichment for an animal of their choice, while also enjoying dessert and toasting champagne (or non-alcohol drinks.) Marketing Coordinator Caroline Routley talked about the fun event…

All Aboard! North Shore Scenic Railroad Opens Summer Ticket Season For Excursions

DULUTH, Minn. — Believe it or not, the North Shore Scenic Railroad is already thinking summer and fall excursions. Tickets went on sale Monday at DuluthTrains.com and at the Depot ticket office. Train lovers can now reserve a spot for dinner trains, dome car rides and the Pizza Party Express. And in the coming weeks, tickets will open up for…

Say What? A January Day Of Rain, Puddles In The Twin Ports

DULUTH, Minn. – What a weird day for the Twin Ports, right?  Rain and giant puddles were all over the place. Vehicles on London Road in Duluth were making a splish-splash that looked more like a spring melting event. Makes you wonder if we’re going to pay for this warmer air in February with a deep freeze, or if all…

New Brewery Opens At Clyde Iron Works

Clyde Brewing features 6 different traditional beers and a non-alcoholic root beer.

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s Clyde Iron Works is celebrating a big expansion into the brewing business. Clyde Brewing is located in the Clyde building in Lincoln Park. Monday, the kick-off had taste testings of their 6 new brews, plus a root beer for those not wanting alcohol. All of the traditional style beers are dedicated to the manufacturing history of…