News

Bookstore at Fitger’s Highlighting Banned Book Week

DULUTH, Minn.– The bookstore in Fitgers is showcasing novels that have been removed from schools, libraries, and other public spaces. Decorated with caution tape and explanation bookmarks, the bookstore is highlighting the growing trend of banned books, which has been happening since 1982. The bookstore manager told FOX 21 that last year alone 2,000 books joined the list. They’re included…

St Louis County Declaring October 9th as “Ageism Awareness Day”

DULUTH, Minn.–A proclamation involving the importance of a positive mindset with the aging population was highlighted in Duluth today. The St. Louis County will be recognizing October 9th as ‘Ageism Awareness Day’. City officials and the community alike is recognizing what they’re calling an ‘unnoticed societal issue’. That being said, this issue affects both older and younger people, giving each…

USDA warns that Hello Fresh subscription meals may contain listeria-tainted spinach

Federal health officials have issued a public health alert for certain Hello Fresh subscription meals containing spinach that may be contaminated with listeria. The U.S. Agriculture Department on Monday warned people not to eat Hello Fresh Ready Made Meals Cheesy Pulled Pork Pepper Pasta and Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Turkey. The products were shipped directly to consumers’ homes. They were produced by FreshRealm, a California firm linked to an expanding listeria outbreak tied to heat-and-eat pasta meals.

Man that escaped from Northeast Regional Corrections Center captured

Michael Todd Hart DULUTH, Min. – Michael Todd Hart, the man who escaped from Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC), has been captured. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office reports that around mid day on October 7, 2025 law enforcement captured Hart at a Cohasset home. Hart was arrested after his escape from NERCC on September 23, 2025. Deputies says Hart…

Purrfect ending: Missing Virginia store cat found after hitching a ride to another state

Francine the cat is back home at a Lowe’s store in Virginia after going missing for a few weeks. The calico cat hitched a ride to a sister facility in another state. After employees at the Richmond store discovered Francine was missing, surveillance footage revealed she had hopped onto a delivery truck. An employee shut the door and off it went to a distribution center in Garysburg, North Carolina. Eventually, humane traps were set and Francine was caught. Two employees made the 90-minute drive Monday to pick up Francine. She was back on the job Tuesday, playing with customers, posing for photos and soaking in affection.

Why NFL field goals are getting longer, and what’s changed this season

NFL kickers are now making long-distance field goals more frequently, with many kicks exceeding 60 yards. This shift has sparked questions about whether the balls are altered. A rule change this year allows teams to prepare kicking balls before game day, leading to more consistent performance. There already have been four kicks of at least 60 yards this season, close to the single-season record. The new rules also have impacted punts, with average distances increasing. Kickers say the broken-in balls add a few extra yards to their kicks.

Bipartisan US governors’ group faces division over Trump’s deployment of troops to states

Democratic governors from California and Illinois are threatening to leave the National Governors Association unless it denounces President Donald Trump’s troop deployments to states. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker contend that Trump’s deployment of the Guard against a governor’s will is a violation of state sovereignty. The bipartisan group, founded in 1908, usually advocates for issues where governors find common ground. However, some Republican governors support Trump’s actions, and the group hasn’t taken a position on the troop deployments. Democratic governors from Kansas, Michigan, and Minnesota have already left the association this year.

Imagine Downtown Unveils 5 Year Plan

DULUTH, Minn — After a year of focus groups, surveys, tours and more the Imagine Downtown plan is finally unveiled. The 5-year plan addresses the pressing concerns of the downtown area. Those concerns included safety, housing, amenities and services, and infrastructure. MIG Consulting has been the firm spearheading this initiative. The plan involves enacting changes over the next 5 years,…

Bengals acquire Joe Flacco from the Browns in a trade that also involves draft picks

Joe Flacco is on the move again. The Cincinnati Bengals acquired the veteran quarterback from the Cleveland Browns along with a 2026 sixth-round draft pick on Tuesday for a fifth-round pick next season. The 40-year-old Flacco gives Cincinnati another option. Jake Browning has struggled since replacing Joe Burrow, who is out with a toe injury sustained in Week 2. Flacco started the first four games for the Browns this season, completing 93 of 160 passes for 815 yards and two touchdowns with six interceptions. Rookie Dillon Gabriel replaced Flacco in the starting lineup. Rookie Shedeur Sanders now moves up to the backup spot.

Josh Kaul won’t run for Wisconsin governor will seek reelection instead

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul announced Tuesday that he will not run for governor, opting instead to seek a third term as the state’s top law enforcement official. The governor’s race is wide open after Democratic incumbent Tony Evers, 73, announced this summer that he won’t seek reelection. The race will be the highest-profile contest on the…

Trump administration threatens no back pay for federal workers in shutdown

President Donald Trump’s administration is warning of no guaranteed back pay for federal workers during a shutdown. That would be a reversal of what has been longstanding policy for some 750,000 furloughed employees. Trump said some people “don’t deserve” to be taken care of during an event at he White House. A new memo being circulated by the White House says that legislation that Trump signed into law in 2019 does not require back pay. It says it’s up to Congress to provide the funds. The move was widely seen as a negotiating tactic. But Democratic Sen. Patty Murry called it a “scare” tactic since the law is clear that workers will be paid.

He sat in the nosebleeds for the Cubs’ historic World Series. Now Quinn Priester can end their year

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Quinn Priester has experienced postseason baseball at Wrigley Field before. Priester grew up in the Chicago area and was in the Wrigley Field stands for Game 5 of the 2016 World Series. The 25-year-old right-hander will be back at Wrigley on Wednesday as he continues his breakthrough year by trying to end the Cubs’ season and pitch the Brewers into the NL Championship Series. Milwaukee carries a 2-0 lead into Game 3 of this best-of-5 NL Division Series. This start will mark Priester’s postseason debut. Jameson Taillon is starting for the Cubs.

Photos of Egypt’s ‘strongman’ pulling ships, trains and cars in jaw-dropping feats

CAIRO (AP) — Ashraf Mahrous is Egypt’s “strongman.” The Egyptian wrestler known as Kabonga has built his reputation on raw strength and relentless discipline. From Cairo to Hurghada, he’s become a familiar figure, training daily and performing extraordinary feats that test the limits of human endurance. Mahrous, 44, has pulled cars and trains — and most recently, two ships weighing…

LeBron James teased ‘the decision of all decisions’ announcement. It was an ad

LeBron James has announced a new collaboration with Hennessy in a playful nod to his famous 2010 “decision” to join the Miami Heat. The Los Angeles Lakers star teased an announcement for Tuesday, sparking speculation about his future. However, Hennessy revealed the news early, unveiling a limited edition orange bottle featuring James’ signature gesture. In a video, James humorously echoed his original announcement by saying he’s “taking his talents to Hennessy V.S.O.P.” Social media buzzed with guesses, some predicting correctly that it was an ad campaign. James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, turns 41 in December.

Coffee Conversation: Laundry Love Hosts Fall Fest Fundraisers to Support Neighbors in Need

DULUTH, Minn. — Laundry Love, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing clean clothes to those in need, is partnering with the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd to host two upcoming fundraising events in October. Susan Boutin with Laundry Love joined Fox 21 live on Tuesday, October 7 to talk more about the fundraises and the organizations mission. A Fall Fest…

Tropical Storm Jerry forms in the Atlantic and is expected to become a hurricane

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Jerry has formed in the Atlantic Ocean on a path toward the Caribbean. The storm was about 1,315 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands on Tuesday, but was traveling west at 24 mph. Forecasters say Jerry has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. It was expected to strengthen into a hurricane in the coming days. Swells from Jerry are expected to reach the Leeward Islands on Thursday.

At the center of shutdown fight, health care is one of the most intractable issues in Congress

Democrats believe health care is an issue that resonates with a majority of Americans as they demand an extension of subsidies in exchange for their votes to reopen the shuttered U.S. government. But it is also one of the most intractable issues in Congress and a real compromise is not likely to be easy. There are some Republicans in Congress who want to extend the higher subsidies, which were first put in place in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. But many GOP lawmakers are firmly opposed to any extension. The government shutdown is in its seventh day and hundreds of thousands of federal workers are going unpaid.

A newly elected mayor in Germany is found with serious stab wounds

The newly elected mayor of a town in western Germany has been found with serious stab wounds and Chancellor Friedrich Merz says she was the victim of “an abhorrent act.” Iris Stalzer was elected mayor of Herdecke on Sept. 28. She is a member of the center-left Social Democrats, the junior party in Germany’s conservative-led national government. Investigators said Stalzer was found at her home with life-threatening wounds shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday and she was taken to a hospital by helicopter. A senior official with her party said she was stabbed.

Supreme Court hears arguments on whether states can ban conversion therapy for LBGTQ+ kids

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in its latest LGBTQ rights case, weighing the constitutionality of bans passed by nearly half of U.S. states on the practice known as conversion therapy for children. The justices on Tuesday are hearing a lawsuit from a Christian counselor challenging a Colorado law that prohibits therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity. Kaley Chiles argues the law violates her freedom of speech by barring her from offering voluntary, faith-based therapy for kids. Chiles has support from President Donald Trump’s Republican administration. Colorado argues the measure simply regulates licensed therapists by barring a practice that’s been scientifically discredited and linked to serious harm.

National Book Award finalists announced: Alameddine, Majumdar, Li and Russell are among the nominees

Fiction by Rabih Alameddine, Megha Majumdar, and Karen Russell, along with a memoir by Yiyun Li, are among this year’s National Book Award finalists. On Tuesday, the National Book Foundation announced five nominees in each of five categories. Winners will be revealed on Nov. 19 in Manhattan. Honorary awards will go to George Saunders and Roxane Gay. Majumdar’s novel “A Guardian and a Thief” is a fiction finalist. Li’s memoir “Things in Nature Merely Grow” is a nonfiction finalist. Other categories include poetry, translated literature and young people’s literature. Each winner receives $10,000.

Government shutdown threatens to stall the recovery in the IPO market

The U.S. government shutdown could raise a caution flag for private companies considering a move to the public market for investors. The IPO market has been on a years-long recovery after spiking inflation slammed the brakes on activity in 2022. Since then, every year has proved to be better than the last. The shutdown means delays and halts in IPO reviews from the Securities and Exchange Commission. A prolonged government shutdown could sap confidence in the U.S. markets and economy as IPO activity approaches a typically slower period near the end of the year.

UFL changes 3 cities as new investor shares bullish vision for spring football

Sports entrepreneur Mike Repole isn’t discouraged by the long odds facing pro spring football as a business model. He is bullish on the future of the United Football League as the UFL announces a plan for three replacement cities. Orlando, Florida, is in along with Columbus, Ohio, and Louisville, Kentucky. The cities being replaced are San Antonio, Detroit and Memphis, Tennessee. Those moves are part of a strategy to get into smaller stadiums. The remaining Texas teams in the Dallas area and Houston are going to smaller venues while also changing names.

Nobel Prize in Physics goes to 3 scientists whose work advanced quantum technology

John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis have won the Nobel Prize in Physics for their research on quantum tunneling. Clarke expressed surprise at the win, acknowledging the significant contributions of his fellow laureates. The Nobel committee highlighted the trio’s 1980s research as foundational for developing quantum technology, including computers and sensors. Quantum mechanics, a century-old field, underpins all digital technology. The prize recognizes their role in making quantum phenomena applicable to real-world technology, with potential uses in computing and cryptography.

Pope Leo XIV to travel to Turkey and Lebanon next month on his first foreign trip

Pope Leo XIV plans to visit Turkey and Lebanon next month on his first foreign trip as pope. The Vatican announced Tuesday that Leo will be in Turkey from November 27th to 30th and Lebanon from November 30th to December 2nd. The trip includes a pilgrimage to Iznik to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea. This visit fulfills plans made by his predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away in April. The trip offers an opportunity for Leo to address peace in the Middle East and the challenges faced by Christians in the region.

Canadian PM Carney visits Trump as relations between the longtime allies sit at a low point

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at a time when one of the world’s most durable and amicable alliances has been fractured by Trump’s trade war and annexation threats. Carney’s second visit to the White House on Tuesday comes ahead of a review of the free trade agreement, which is critical to Canada’s economy. More than three-quarters of Canada’s exports go to the U.S. Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st state and his tariffs have Canadians feeling an undeniable sense of betrayal. Relations with Canada’s southern neighbor and longtime ally are at a low point.

The Button King’s legacy lives on in quirky South Carolina museum

J.D. Stevens feels his late father’s presence when he enters a shed near his South Carolina home. It’s the home of the Button Museum, filled with creations by Dalton Stevens, known as the Button King. Dalton Stevens began sewing buttons on a denim suit in 1983 during sleepless nights. His fame grew from a newspaper story to a local TV spot picked up by then-upstart news network CNN eventually leading to “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” in 1987. Dalton’s fame lasted for decades, with appearances on various talk shows. The Button Museum in Bishopville has objects made of buttons, including a hearse, coffin, outhouse and piano, all created by Stevens.

Interest in women’s sports is growing. Here’s how some women-owned companies are responding

Laura Youngson has made a significant impact by addressing inequality in sports for women and girls. In 2017, she organized a high-altitude soccer match on Mount Kilimanjaro, highlighting the issue. The event led to a documentary and a Guinness World Record. However, Youngson noticed the players wore men’s cleats, which inspired her to launch IDA Sports, creating cleats specifically for women. This move is part of a broader trend where companies like Moolah Kicks and Liv Cycling focus on women’s needs in sports. As interest in women’s sports grows, these brands are rejecting the outdated “shrink it and pink it” mentality.

Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski hits 104.3 mph while throwing 3 innings of shutout relief

Jacob Misiorowski rediscovered the form that earned the flamethrowing rookie so much acclaim in the first few weeks after the Milwaukee Brewers called him up from the minors. He was throwing heat. More importantly, he was throwing strikes. Misiorowski fired three innings of scoreless relief while reaching at least 100 mph on 31 of his 57 pitches during the Brewers’ 7-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of their NL Division Series on Monday night.

Cubs head back home on the brink of elimination after losing 2 straight in Milwaukee

The Chicago Cubs’ hitters aren’t putting enough balls in play, and their pitchers aren’t keeping balls in play. That combination has the Cubs heading back to Chicago on the brink of elimination. Chicago gave up three homers and mustered just one hit after the second inning of a 7-3 loss at Milwaukee on Monday night that gave the Brewers a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five NL Division Series. The Cubs must win two straight in Chicago on Wednesday and Thursday to send the series back to Milwaukee for a deciding Game 5 on Saturday.

Brewers’ Chourio hits 3-run homer in Game 2 of NLDS after hurting his hamstring in series opener

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio returned to the lineup and hit a three-run homer in Game 2 of an NL Division Series against the Chicago Cubs on Monday night after tightness in his right hamstring caused him to exit the series opener. Chourio sent an 0-2 pitch from Daniel Palencia over the center-field wall with two outs in the fourth inning. Chourio’s 419-foot drive extended Milwaukee’s lead to 7-3. Chourio went 3 for 3 with three RBIs in Milwaukee’s 9-3 Game 1 victory Saturday before leaving in the second inning.

Lineup and Misiorowski-led bullpen provide power as Brewers beat Cubs 7-3 for 2-0 lead in NLDS

Andrew Vaughn and Jackson Chourio each hit a three-run homer, William Contreras added a solo shot and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs 7-3 to move one win from a trip to the National League Championship Series. The Brewers have a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-five Division Series, which shifts to Wrigley Field in Chicago for Game 3 on Wednesday. Milwaukee is attempting to win a postseason series for the first time since reaching the NLCS in 2018. Vaughn and Chourio hit the first two three-run homers in Brewers postseason history.

Attorney General Bondi will face Senate questions over political pressure on Justice Department

Attorney General Pam Bondi will face lawmakers at a congressional hearing amid growing questions about political influence over the Justice Department. It has already criminally charged one of President Donald Trump’s longtime foes and is facing intense White House pressure to prosecute others. Bondi’s testimony Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee comes just ahead of former FBI Director James Comey’s first court appearance following an indictment that has deepened concerns that the department is being used to seek vengeance against Trump’s political opponents. The hearing is likely to split along deeply partisan lines, with Republicans expected to laud the Justice Department’s efforts to confront violent crime and reverse Biden-era priorities.

Top photos from Week 5 of the NFL season

Photo highlights from the fifth week of the NFL season. This gallery was curated by AP photo editors. See this gallery in AP Newsroom AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl AP photography: https://apnews.com/photography Categories: US & World News

Duluth Preps For West Superior Street Reconstruction

DULUTH, Minn. — Another massive reconstruction project is on the horizon for Duluth as West Superior Street in Lincoln Park is in line for a rebuild. The nearly 2-mile stretch that will see the reconstruction begins at West Michigan Street and heads through Lincoln Park, past 27th Avenue W, and ends at the Carlton Street intersection. The construction will be much…

A divided Israel marks 2 years since Oct. 7 attack as war in Gaza grinds on and hostages languish

Israelis are mourning the dead and fearing for the remaining hostages as they mark two years since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack plunged the region into a devastating war. Meanwhile, Israel and Hamas are conducting indirect negotiations in Egypt. The main memorial ceremony is being organized by bereaved families, not the government, reflecting deep divisions over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership, which many blame for the failure to secure a ceasefire that would free the hostages. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed tens of thousands of people and razed entire towns and cities in the Gaza Strip, where those who can are fleeing another Israeli invasion of Gaza City.

Dodgers’ Snell shines as bullpen holds off Phillies’ rally for 4-3 Game 2 win in NLDS

Blake Snell strikes out nine over six shutout innings for the Dodgers, leading to a 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night. Shohei Ohtani delivers an RBI single in a four-run seventh inning, helping the Dodgers maintain a 4-1 lead into the ninth. Nick Castellanos hits a two-run double, making it a 4-3 game. Relievers Alex Vesia and Roki Sasaki hold off the Phillies’ rally. The Dodgers take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series and can advance to the NL Championship Series with a Game 3 win on Wednesday.

Jilly Cooper, British author of bestselling risqué novels, including ‘Rivals,’ dies at 88

British author Jilly Cooper, known for her bestselling novels, including “Rivals” and “Riders,” has died. She was 88. The author died on Sunday after a fall, a statement from her agency Curtis Brown said. Her agent, Felicity Blunt, praised Cooper for defining culture, writing and conversation for over 50 years. Cooper was best known for her books in “The Rutshire Chronicles,” which portrayed the sex lives and excesses of the well-off, horse-riding set in 1980s England. Her books sold millions of copies in the United Kingdom alone, with “Rivals” adapted as a hit Disney+ TV series last year.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ lawyers want him sent to a New Jersey federal prison that offers drug treatment

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers want the hip-hop mogul sent to a low-security federal prison in New Jersey to serve his four-year, two-month prison sentence. They told a judge Monday that the facility’s drug treatment program will help him stay clean. Combs’ lawyers wrote a letter urging  the judge presiding over his case, Arun Subramanian, to “strongly recommend” that the federal Bureau of Prisons place Combs at FCI Fort Dix, a massive prison located on the grounds of the joint military base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Ashland School District Impacted by Northland College’s Closure

ASHLAND, Wis.– The Ashland community is coming to terms with what they’re calling a significant loss after the Northland College closed its doors last spring. “We are definitely nervous about what it will do to our staffing and our entire community. About 15% of our staff is Northland College graduates, and over 20% of our staff is related to Northland…

Rush announce reunion tour five years after the death of drummer Neil Peart

Five years after their influential drummer Neil Peart died of glioblastoma, the Canadian band Rush have announced a reunion tour Monday. Rush co-founders Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson revealed a 12-date, seven city tour is scheduled for summer 2026. It will kick off in June at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. That’s where the band played their final show in 2015. The reunion tour will end in Cleveland and they’ll also hit Mexico City; Fort Worth, Texas; Chicago; New York and Toronto. Taking Peart’s place is award-winning German composer and producer Anika Nilles. She has previously toured with Jeff Beck.

Twin Ports Interchange Project Close to Fully Opening

DULUTH, Minn. –After five years of detours and construction, the long-anticipated Twin Ports Interchange Project will be fully open before the end of the month, and the long time nickname is a thing of the past. “The can of worms is officially no longer a thing, which is something to celebrate,” Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert said. A ribbon-cutting was held…

Wisconsin DOJ asks judge to pause voter citizenship verification order

The Wisconsin Department of Justice is asking a judge to immediately put on hold his order that would require elections officials to verify the citizenship of all 3.6 million registered Wisconsin voters before the next statewide election in February. The state justice department, which represents the Wisconsin Elections Commission, on Monday asked for a stay pending an appeal. The fight over verifying the citizenship status of voters in battleground Wisconsin comes as President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice has sought voter records from at least 26 states, including Wisconsin.