News

Duluth Receives Grant to Design Geothermal Heating District in Lincoln Park Neighborhood

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth is one of 11 communities across the country receiving a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to help design a geothermal heating district. “This extremely exciting opportunity to analyze and design a district geothermal and heat recovery possibility—one that hasn’t been designed in the US before—comes to us with a ton of potential to further reduce…

Superior 5th Graders Taking Part in Annual Wastewater Treatment Plan Tours

SUPERIOR, Wis. – It wouldn’t be fifth grade in the Superior School District without a visit to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Over 300 students are getting the chance to see the facilities and learn the seven steps of the water treatment process, plus the two steps for solid treatment, and where it goes afterwards. “5th graders are at that age…

Cook County Woman Killed After Rock Crashes Through Windshield, Strikes Her in Two Harbors

TWO HARBORS, Minn. –  An isolated and an unfortunate event.  That’s how Two Harbor’s Police Chief Richard Hogenson describes how a rock the size of a softball came through the windshield of an extended cab pickup Last Friday, leading to the death of a Cook County woman. Hogenson says 46-year-old Kay Spielman was driving south on Highway 61 near the Burlington…

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….

New Tourism Campaign Launches In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A new tourism campaign has been launched in Superior. It’s called Gotta Be Superior and is all about the places to see, what to do, and where to stay in the city. SWIM Creative, a marketing agency helped put it together with Superior’s Tourism Development Commission. The hope for the campaign is to bring in people from…

Minnesota Lawmakers Reach Deal For Free College Tuition

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Tuition at Minnesota’s public colleges would be free to residents whose families earn less than $80,000 annually, starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, under an agreement reached by legislative negotiators. If the full House and Senate accept the language, which would be part of a broader higher education budget bill, qualifying Minnesotans would no longer…

Coffee Conversation: Matrescence & The Evolution of Motherhood

DULUTH, Minn. — While Mother’s Day quickly approaches, the entire month of May is dedicated toward Maternal Mental Health Awareness. FOX21 caught up with a local Perinatal Mental Health Specialist to talk about matrescence — or the physical, mental, emotional, and social transitions a person goes through when becoming a mother. The term matrescence was first coined by Dana Raphael…

Minnesota Senate Approves Paid Family And Medical Leave Plan

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Senate approved a plan Monday to entitle workers across the state to paid leave when they’re sick or caring for relatives who are ill. While Senate Democrats hold only a one-seat majority, paid family and medical leave has been a priority of the party for several years, and the final 34-33 vote followed party lines. The proposal passed…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Woodcarving Artist

Brule, Wis. — When you think of art, you probably don’t think of automata. But these detail pieces are interactive mechanical sculptures that originate from clock makers hundreds of years ago. One Wisconsin sculptor has perfected making automata almost entirely out of wood, with the help of very few metal parts. Cecilia Schiller had been creating automata for nearly 15…

Duluth Council Rejects Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Kinseth Hotel Project

DULUTH, Minn. – The proposed Kinseth Hotel in Duluth will not be delayed for an environmental review that some local residents had petitioned the State of Minnesota for. By a unanimous vote Monday evening, the Duluth City Council reversed a decision made by the Planning Commission back in April to order an environmental assessment worksheet for the hotel that will be…

Cloquet Police: Help Needed In Finding Missing Boy

   CLOQUET, Minn. — Cloquet Police are asking for the public’s help in finding a runaway 12-year-old boy. Leon Roy Friedman was last seen around the Cloquet Middle School soccer fields near the end of school day on Monday. He is not in immediate danger, but police are hoping he will be located to ensure he is safe. Leon is…

New Grant To Increase Water Quality Monitoring in St. Louis River Estuary

TWIN PORTS – A lot of action has taken place to clean up the St. Louis River of nutrients and sediment dumped in the past.  A new grant hopes to keep improving that water quality in the future. Scientists with the UW-Madison Extension Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve and UMD’s Natural Resources Research Institute will use the $400,000 to increase…

Bee Season Officially Underway In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Bee season is officially underway for one business in Duluth. Miel, which is located near Chester Bowl maintains about 25 to 30 beehives each year at 4 different locations in the Duluth area. And it doesn’t just include making honey, they make candles, lip balm, soaps, lotions, and more. The beekeeper says a fun face is that…

Boys & Girls Club Encourages Support for Mental Health Crisis Line

Several Duluth area groups working to raise funds

DULUTH, Minn. – A new, national suicide crisis line has been getting some attention, and there is a continued local effort to let people know about it. It is called “Just Breathe 988.” Several Duluth area groups are coming together to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club’s Mental Health Access program. The three-digit number works exactly like 9-1-1…

4 Minnesota Sex Offender Program Staff Members Taken To Hospital After Assault By Client

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. — Four staff from the Minnesota Sex Offender Program (MSOP) in Moose Lake were taken to the hospital after an assault by a client. According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services it happened Monday after a client picked up a chair and struck a security counselor. Officials say 3 other staff members intervened to protect the…

Driver In Deadly Texas Crash Charged With Manslaughter

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — The driver of an SUV that killed eight people when it slammed into a bus stop in Brownsville, Texas, has been charged with manslaughter, police said Monday as investigators tried to determine if the crash was intentional. Authorities believe driver George Alvarez, 34, of Brownsville, lost control after running a red light Sunday morning, and plowed into a…

Superior Police Investigating Double Stabbing

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior Police are investigating after two men were stabbed early Monday morning. The police department says it happened in the 10 block of North 24th Street in Superior around 12:55 a.m. Police say when officers arrived, they found 2 men that were stabbed. They were then brought to the hospital in stable condition. This is an active…

Kaitie Leising Is 4th Wisconsin Law Enforcement Death Of 2023

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (FOX 9) – The death of Deputy Kaitie Leising of the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office marked the fourth officer killed in the line of duty in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin in the last four weeks. Those in the law enforcement community are calling it a “disturbing trend.” “I don’t know what’s going on with the world, but something’s…

US To Propose New Rules For Airline Cancellations, Delays

(AP) — The Biden administration is working on new regulations that would require airlines to compensate passengers and cover their meals and hotel rooms if they are stranded for reasons within the airline’s control. The White House said President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg would announce the start of the rulemaking process Monday. The rulemaking pledge continues a push by…

Art and Music Showcase Supports Local Art Department

HERMANTOWN, Minn.–Art is important as it helps people connect and relate to abstract concepts and serves as a means of self-expression. With art departments in schools being underfunded, one local high school showcases student work for the community to see.  “Art for me is just a really big way to express myself and tell my story and other stories on…

Three 148th Fighter Wing Members Earn Minnesota Airmen of the Year Honors

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Three members of the Duluth-based 148th Fighter Wing have been selected as part of this year’s Minnesota National Guard Airmen of the Year. Five members of the 148th and the St. Paul-based 133rd Airlift Wing were selected by their Command Chiefs and the State Command Chief based on their job performance, leadership, community involvement, and personal achievement…

Design Your Own Candles Kicks Off For Mother’s Day

DULUTH, Minn. — With Mother’s Day right around the corner, many people are still looking for that home-touched gift for their beloved moms.  Throughout the month of May, Lake Superior Glass Art is partnering up with Naturalight Candles with customizable candles. The candles are made in-house at Lake Superior Glass Art and then hand-poured at Naturalight Candles in Canal Park. …

Construction Projects Set for This Week on I-35, Superior St. in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – A heads up for motorists traveling around Duluth Monday with two new road construction projects taking place this week. The Minnesota DOT says crews will be replacing the guardrail and conducting bridge inspections Monday from 9 to 3 for the ramp connecting I-35 northbound to the Bong Bridge. If weather is an issue, it will be delayed to…

Duluth DFL Party Sticks with Larson, Makes Endorsements for Fall Elections

DULUTH, Minn. – With the next Duluth mayoral election set for later this year, there was no surprise with who the Duluth DFL Party selected to endorse. During their convention at Denfeld High School Saturday, the party is sticking with current Mayor Emily Larson.  She is seeking her third term, after being first elected to the position in 2015.  She…

Authorities: DUI suspect shoots Wisconsin deputy then self

St. Croix County Deputy Kaitie Leising (photo courtesy of St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office)GLENWOOD, Wis. (AP) — A suspected drunken driver shot and killed a Wisconsin sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop before running into some nearby woods and killing himself, authorities said Sunday. During a conversation about field sobriety tests, Jeremiah Johnson was “evasive,” drew a handgun and shot…

UMD Graduate Osei-Tutu Honored for Her Work on Voting

DULUTH, MINN. — A UMD Graduate has been recognized as part of the 2023 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll. Her name is Olivia Osei-Tutu, ALL IN’s Student Voting Honor Roll recognizes college students at participating campuses who have gone above and beyond to advance nonpartisan student voter registration, education and turnout efforts in their communities. Nationwide, Just 175 students…

That’s A Lot of Pancakes

DULUTH, MINN. –There are some preliminary numbers from the 64th Annual Duluth Lion’s Club Pancake Day that was held this past Thursday. According to the Chair of the Public Relations Committee for the Lions, Larry Winner, 7,525 people were at the DECC for their annual pancake fix. That is 1,207 more people that attended this year as compared to 2022….

Vintage Magazine Sale Brings Back the Past

DULUTH, Minn. — Friends of the Duluth Public Library went back to the past today for it’s first ever Nostalgic Newsstand Vintage Magazine Sale. From Saturday Evening Posts from the 1920’s, to Sports Illustrated issues from the 90’s, there was a vide variety of classic magazines to browse through. The rare sale comes at a time when the library is…

Sjodin Strong Benefit

CARLTON, MINN — The family members and friends who organized this event weren’t sure what to expect, but they obviously hoped for the best. Cassie Avernik a cousin who helped organize said, “Turnout is way more than we could have imagined, expected, and planned for, it’s been really great ” As you might expect there were some tears, but there…

UMD Graduation Day

DULUTH, Minn. — It was graduation day for Seniors at the University of Minnesota Duluth. There were approximately 2,000 Bulldogs graduating. The graduates earned their bachelor’s degree, doctoral degree, or master’s degree. There were two ceremonies held today, both of them at the AMSOIL Arena. The morning was for the College of Education and Human Professions, as well as the…

BWCA Trip for Veterans

SUPERIOR, WISC. –Are you a veteran that loves to explore the outdoors? Now is the time to sign up for the free Boundary Waters Canoe Area summer trip taking place in July. The Richard I Bong Veterans Historical Center hosts the trip every year. Six veterans will be chosen to go on the six-day adventure happening July 10th through the…

Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women

DULUTH, MINN. — Friday was a day to remember missing and murdered Native American women. Family, friends, and advocates gathered at City Hall to help bring awareness to the issue, and to the women themselves. One goal is to focus national attention on it at all levels of government. Rene Goodrich of the Native Lives Matter Coalition says, “Together here,…

Tara Swenson Enters Duluth City Council Race

DULUTH, MINN.  — Another candidate has entered the Duluth City Council race to represent the Fourth District.  On Friday evening Tara Swenson officially announced her candidacy at a gathering at Warrior Brewing Company. Swenson and her husband and two children live in the Piedmont neighborhood. Swenson says she is committed to supporting economic growth, and core services including streets, utilities, and…

All The Buzz In The Northland, Weekend of May 5, 2023

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend in the Northland, FOX 21’s Maria Vollom has the rundown for you. May 5, 6-9 p.m.: American Runner Kara Goucher to hold “Author Talk” event at Fitger’s Bookstore in Duluth. May 5, 6-8:30 p.m.: Simply Ballroom free birthday event in Duluth. May 5-7: World of Accordions Historical Festival at the Harrington…

Arrowhead Youth Games Give Kids With Disabilities the Chance to Play

DULUTH, Minn. — The weather was perfect Thursday for the Arrowhead Youth Games which gives kids with disabilities a chance to get in on all types of adapted recreational activities. More than 300 students from 24 elementary and middle schools were at UMDs field house. The kids were taking part in events like climbing, dance, parachute games, archery, wheelchair races,…