News

Biden Wants ‘Sharper Rules’ On Unknown Aerial Objects

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday that the U.S. is developing “sharper rules” to track, monitor and potentially shoot down unknown aerial objects, following three weeks of high-stakes drama sparked by the discovery of a suspected Chinese spy balloon transiting much of the country. The president has directed national security adviser Jake Sullivan to lead an “interagency team” to review…

56th Annual Duluth Sport Show At The DECC This Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — The 56th Annual Duluth Sport Show is coming to the DECC this weekend. The show features many different opportunities truly making it feel like you are in the great outdoors. From hunting, fishing, camping, traveling gear and events, to testing your boating skills. There is even a waterskiing squirrel. This is a family friendly event with an…

Eli Hart Killing: Mom Sentenced To Life In Prison For Murdering Her Son

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Eli Hart’s mother Julissa Thaler has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering her 6-year-old son on May 20, 2022. Thaler was sentenced Thursday, Feb. 16, to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of first-degree murder. Before the judge handed down her sentence, she said she was innocent, used an expletive and called everyone…

Michigan State University Shooter Had 2 Guns: Police

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The man who shot eight students at Michigan State University, killing three, had two handguns that were purchased legally but not registered, police said Thursday. The 9 mm guns and ammunition were found with Anthony McRae when he killed himself Monday night after being confronted by police, said deputy campus police chief Chris Rozman. The shootings took…

UMD, UWS Offer Support After Fatal Michigan State University Shooting

UMD and UWS sent emails to students, faculty and staff to offer support and guidance following the fatal Michigan State University shooting. The following message was sent by UMD Interim Chancellor Dave McMillan: “The events of last evening at Michigan State University are horrifying. UMD shares in the sadness and sorrow of the Michigan State University community. We honor the…

Minnesota National Guard and Norway Sign State Partnership Program Agreement

DULUTH, Minn. – “Today, the U.S. is Norway’s most important ally,” Chief of the Norwegian Home Guard, Elisabeth Michelsen says. It’s been five decades since two generals, one from the United States and the other from Norway met in Norway and shook hands to start the longest running military exchange program between two nations. “That handshake meant so much it…

Jungle Gym Announces March Pro Boxing Match In Duluth

FOX 21's Dan Hanger will be the event's ring announcer

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s Jungle Boy Boxing has announced a pro boxing match at The Garden in Canal Park next month. Zach Walters, head coach of Jungle Gym in downtown Duluth told FOX 21 Wednesday that he’s more than pumped to get this fight night in front of hundreds of people March 10th. And if you’ve never been to a…

Duluth Police Ask For Public’s Help Locating Kwik Trip Robbery Suspect

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a robbery suspect who they say targeted the Kwik Trip on the 4200 block Grand Avenue at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday. The following is a post on DPD’s Facebook: “The reporting party stated that the suspected male passed a note to them and demanded money from the till….

Indigenous Families Seek Support/Understanding in Loss of Loved Ones

Feel there is more urgency when other groups need help

The effort to remember Native American women who have been murdered or are missing was the focus of a community event in Duluth Tuesday.  But the issue of violence affects not only women, but also men and entire families. Sage Matthews of Duluth still mourns the loss of her niece and nephew who died separately four years ago.  She and…

Blowing Snow In Northwestern Minnesota Leaves Vehicles Stranded; National Guard Responds

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minnesota National Guard is responding to Clay County, Minnesota, where vehicles have been left stranded during a blizzard warning along Interstate 94 between Fergus Falls and Moorhead. In a news release on Wednesday, Sen. Rob Kupec says Gov. Tim Walz has deployed the Minnesota National Guard to assist motorists and residents amid blizzard conditions. “In light of the severe…

Duluth Police: Man In Jail After Threatening Security Officer With ‘Edged Weapon’

DULUTH, Minn. — A man is in jail after  threatening a security officer with an edged weapon in the East Hillside neighborhood, according to the Duluth Police Department. The police department says the incident occurred on Wednesday at 8 a.m. near North 6th Avenue East and East 3rd Street in Duluth. When officers arrived, they saw a 54-year-old man holding…

PolyMet Mine In Minnesota Becomes NewRange Copper Nickel

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – PolyMet Mining and Teck Resources finalized a joint venture Wednesday to complete the copper-nickel mine that PolyMet has been developing in northeastern Minnesota, and the partnership hopes to eventually build a separate mine next door in an even larger ore body that Teck controls. The long-planned PolyMet mine near Babbitt will now be known as NewRange Copper…

Felon Voting Rights: Minnesota Supreme Court Makes Decision

(FOX 9) – More than a year after hearing oral arguments, the Minnesota Supreme Court has reached a decision on a highly anticipated case regarding voting rights for convicted felons. On Wednesday, the state’s highest court published its opinion, declining to overturn a Minnesota law (Minnesota Statute 609.165) that bars felons from voting while they’re on parole or probation, essentially leaving the decision to the…

St. Luke’s Celebrates New OB-GYN Clinic And Lab

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Luke’s is celebrating the opening of a new multi-million-dollar OB-GYN clinic and lab in Downtown Duluth. The $5.2 million renovation project involved a total renovation of the third floor of the hospital’s Lakeview Building. Which is on the corner of 10th Avenue East and Superior Street. The new space is double the size of the old…

Klobuchar Applauds 148th Fighter Wing In Object Shootdown, Releases New Details

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) provided new details Tuesday from the U.S. Military involving the 148th Fighter Wing’s involvement in shooting down one of three mysterious objects recently spotted up above. “Today at our classified briefing, the Joint Chiefs and other military members specifically acknowledged the Minnesota National Guard and the Duluth airman who shot down the object over Lake…

Two Harbors Residents Vote For 2 Mayoral Candidates On April Ballot

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – Residents voted Tuesday in a special primary election for mayor of Two Harbors. Former mayor and current council vice president, Robin Glaser, got the most votes at 289. Lew Conner came in second with 194 votes. Jay Cole got 15 votes and Jillouise Simonson got 10. Glasser and Conner will not head to a special election…

Complaint: Duluth-Area Man Sexually Assaulted 2 Girls, Possibly More

Clint Franklin Massie DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth-area man is accused of sexually assaulting at least two children, and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office believes more victims have yet to come forward. Clint Massie, 48, is charged with four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving young girls. The investigation started in January after a woman came forward with…

Indigenous Women Missing and Murdered Are Remembered

Family and supporters ask that women not be forgotten and encourage action.

Tuesday was a day of remembering and honoring for the Native American community. Specifically, it was a day focused on indigenous women who have been murdered or are missing. The day began at the Robert Powless Cultural Center. A cross-section of groups and people gathered to talk about the issue, remember those who are gone, and to unite in going…

Latest Downed Objects Could Well Be ‘Benign,’ US Says

WASHINGTON (AP) — The three still-unidentified aerial objects shot down by the U.S. in the past week likely had merely a “benign purpose,” the White House acknowledged Tuesday, drawing a distinction between them and the massive Chinese balloon that earlier traversed the U.S. with a suspected goal of surveillance. “The intelligence community is considering as a leading explanation that these could just…

Former Vice President Mike Pence To Visit Minnesota, Iowa This Week

(FOX 9) – Former Vice president Mike Pence will travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Wednesday. According to an announcement, Pence will deliver remarks, “on defending parents’ rights and combatting the Radical Left’s indoctrination of children.” The speech will be given during oral arguments in Parents Defending Education v. Linn-Mar Community School District, which challenges a policy “designed to…

Rising Toll Makes Quake Worst In Turkey’s Modern History

JINDERIS, Syria (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Tuesday that 35,418 people have died in Turkey as a result of last week’s earthquake, making it the deadliest such disaster since the country’s founding 100 years ago. Confirmed deaths passed those recorded from the massive Erzincan earthquake in 1939 that killed around 33,000 people. Erdogan said 105,505 people were…

Local Pizzeria Offers Heart Shaped Pizza For Valentine’s Day

DULUTH, Minn. — If you’re looking for something Valentine’s Day themed to eat Tuesday, a local pizza place in Duluth is offering some romance. Vitta Pizza, a Neapolitan Pizzeria is offering heart shaped pizza upon request. Vitta is offering these love themed meals at both of their locations in Canal Park and on West Central Entrance. Check out their menu…

Nikki Haley Announces Run For President, Challenging Trump

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, announced her candidacy for president on Tuesday, becoming the first major challenger to former President Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination. The announcement, delivered in a tweeted video, marks an about-face for the ex-Trump Cabinet official, who said two years ago that she wouldn’t challenge her former boss for the…

City Council Votes to Add Security to Duluth Parking Ramp

DULUTH, Minn. – Monday, the Duluth City Council discussed whether to invest $165,000 into added security measures to the Tech Village ramp. That ramp is on the crossroads of East First Street and Lake Avenue. The prompt for added security funding stems from individuals’ mis-using the space for actions such as drug use and homeless encampment. The motion passed Monday…

Police Seek Motive Of Gunman Who Killed 3 At Michigan State

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Police identified the 43-year-old man who killed three students and wounded five at Michigan State University, saying Tuesday that a tip from the public led to a confrontation with officers miles from campus where the gunman fatally shot himself. Investigators still were sorting out why Anthony McRae fired inside Berkey Hall and the MSU Union — a…

Police: 5 Injured After Shooting On Michigan State University Campus

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Police say at least 5 people have been wounded in Michigan State University shooting, some are considered life-threatening. As of 10 p.m. Monday, the suspect was still at large. On Twitter, university police said there appeared to be only one suspect, described as a “short male with a mask” and still at large. “We are…

Duluth Welcomes New Community Relations Officer

DULUTH, Minn.– The city of Duluth welcomed a new Community Relations Officer Monday. Breanna Ellison is in her new role as she fills the vacancy of previous relations officer. Ellison shadowed Mayor Emily Larson for her first official day, and said she is thrilled to get to work. With experience as a licensed teacher, community organizer and job counselor, Ellison…

Student Led Organization Advocates For UMD Legislative Priorities

DULUTH, Minn. — Monday, UMD students were at the Capitol in St. Paul to lobby on behalf of the University. Bulldog Lobby Day is an annual student led event where students advocate for the University’s legislative priorities. The issues students talked with legislators and staff members about included renovating and updating campus facilities, as well as funding for student scholarships….

US Defends Decision To Shoot Down 3 Unidentified Objects

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Monday defended the shootdowns of three unidentified objects in as many days even as it acknowledged that officials had no indication the objects were intended for surveillance in the same manner as the high-altitude Chinese balloon that traversed American airspace earlier this month. The three objects, including one shot down Sunday over Lake Huron, were traveling at…

Man in Greysolon Standoff Charged With Attempted Murder

He allegedly stabbed a police officer, who was protected by a protective vest.

The man who was in a standoff with police last week at Duluth’s Greysolon apartments has been charged. Alexander Jan Dougherty has been charged with six counts, including attempted murder against a police officer. The complaint says Dougherty was inside an apartment and would not come out. Officers said they could hear him yelling and screaming. The complaint says that…

Body Of Ice Climber Recovered In Lake Superior

PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE, Mich. — The body of the ice climber who disappeared after falling into the waters of Lake Superior has been found. 31-year-old James Bake of Gaylord, Michigan fell off a cliff while ice climbing at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on February 7. According to a press release, his body was found Sunday evening about 30…

US Teen Girls Experiencing Record-High Levels Of Sadness, Violence, And Suicide Risk, CDC Says

WASHINGTON (Fox 9) – New federal data shared by U.S. health officials details “record-high levels” of violence, sadness, and suicide risk among American teenage girls and those in the LGBTQ+ community, calling schools a “vital lifeline” to help struggling young people. Data shared Monday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that nearly 3 in 5 U.S. teen girls —…

US Jets Down 4 Objects In 8 Days, Unprecedented In Peacetime

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. fighter jet shot down an “unidentified object” over Lake Huron on Sunday on orders from President Joe Biden. It was the fourth such downing in eight days and the latest military strike in an extraordinary chain of events over U.S. airspace that Pentagon officials believe has no peacetime precedent. Part of the reason for the…

Coffee Conversation: Sibling Duo to take on Northern Pines Sled Dog Race

IRON RIVER, WI. — The Iron River Chamber of Commerce presents Northern Pines Sled Dog Race at the at the Northern Pines Golf Course and Event Center on Feb. 18, 2023. Musher siblings Talia (22) and Morgan Martens (16), along with sled dog Keisha, joined FOX21 on the morning show ahead of the race. There will be sprint and mid-distance races,…

Sunny Days Brings Spring-Like Weather

DULUTH, Minn. — The weather was fantastic and the parking lot at Leif Erikson Park was packed with people taking the opportunity to enjoy the sunny day.  People were out with their dogs, children, and even their lunch to welcome in the spring-like weather that we’re experiencing in the Northland. “Well, we’re out and about and it was lunchtime so…

Souper Bowl Raises Money For Damiano Center

DULUTH, Minn. –It may be super bowl Sunday, but I’m here at the Pilgrim Congregational Church where we’re having a “soup-er” bowl of our own. The Souper Bowl of Caring project started in Columbia, South Carolina by the Spring Valley Presbyterian Church’s youth group in 1990, which used the widely celebrated Super Bowl as an opportunity to relieve hunger locally….