News

UMD Students Host Pumpkin Compost Drive

Pumpkin Compost Drive Nov. 2 Through Nov. 4

DULUTH, Minn.–Not sure what to do with your Jack-O-Lantern after Halloween? Well instead of letting it turn to mush, you can add it to a compost pile. UMD students researching Sustainable Food Systems are coming together to collect unwanted pumpkins. There are two dumpsters on campus designated for collecting pumpkins. One is located near the Bagley Nature Center and the…

Gov. Walz Visits Fire Department, UMD With Less Than A Week Until Election Day

DULUTH, Minn. — With the midterm election less than a week away, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (DFL) made a couple of campaign stops in Duluth on Wednesday. One was at the Duluth fire department after the Minnesota Professional Firefighters organization and the Duluth Firefighters Local 101 union endorsed him. The other stop was at UMD for an event involving students…

Mayor’s Task Force Recommendations In Duluth: Funding Could Be A Challenge

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth now has a potential roadmap for improving the experience downtown. Finding the funding to make it happen could be the next challenge. Members of a Mayor’s task force unveiled 27 recommendations at a downtown business Tuesday. Half of the recommendations focused on safety, and others on everything from tearing down blighted properties to encouraging investment. Many…

Most Of Minnesota Under Burning Restrictions Due To Fire Risk

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Much of Minnesota is under burning restrictions amid ongoing drought conditions, the Minnesota DNR said on Wednesday. The DNR is restricting open burning due to an increased risk of wildfires due to dry conditions across much of the state. “Extreme drought conditions in combination with dry fall vegetation, low humidity, and wind make for dangerous fire conditions,” Allissa Reynolds,…

Post Office In Superior Recommends Bringing Absentee Ballots In Person

Due to unexpected staffing issues and mailing delays.

SUPERIOR, Wis. — If you submit your absentee ballot by mail in Superior, it may not arrive on time for Election Day on November 8. In a press release sent by the Mayor Jim Paine’s office, it says the Post Office is experiencing staffing issues and mail has been taking longer than normal. The Superior City Clerk’s office is recommending…

CVS, Walgreens Announce Opioid Settlements Totaling $10B

(AP) — The two largest U.S. pharmacy chains, CVS Health and Walgreen Co., announced agreements in principle Wednesday to pay about $5 billion each to settle lawsuits nationwide over the toll of opioids, and a lawyer said Walmart, a third pharmacy behemoth, is in discussions for a deal. The prospective settlements are part of a shift in the legal landscape…

Coffee Conversation: Singer/Songwriter Austin Castle Performs Live

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota native and country artist, Austin Castle, performed live on the FOX21 morning show. You’ll have a chance to hear him play at Ursa Minor Brewing in Duluth on November 12. His latest album, “Northwoods,” is available for streaming on Spotify, SoundCloud, and Apple Music. Castle plans on releasing an EP and another album in 2023 but…

Minnesota: What To Expect On Election Night

(AP) — Minnesota was traditionally a blue state but has become more purple over the years. Rural Minnesota has grown more Republican while Minneapolis, St. Paul and their suburbs have become more Democratic, along with certain regional centers including Rochester and Duluth. Joe Biden won Minnesota by just over 7 percentage points in 2020 after Donald Trump came within 1.5…

The DECC Kicks Off New Weekly Vinyl Happy Hour Event

The Vinyl Happy Hours will continue every Tuesday through November from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn.–The DECC kicked off their Vinyl Happy Hour series with some old tunes and refreshments. Executive Director Dan Hartman wanted to hold an event showcasing the newly remodeled Symphony Hall Mezzanine, as well as the harbor views their Turf Deck has to offer. This part of the DECC was built in 1966. In order to embrace the history of…

Animal Allies Looks To Clear The Kennels With Discounted Dog Adoption Fees This Week

DULUTH, Minn. — November might be known for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, but if you love dogs, you don’t want to miss a deal happening this week in Duluth. Animal Allies says its shelter is overflowing with dogs, with more than 25 looking for loving homes. From Wednesday until Sunday this week, the dog adoption fees…

UPDATE: Teen Arrested After DPD Searches For Suspect Who Threatened Person With Gun

UPDATE: Duluth police say just before 9 p.m. on Tuesday,  a 19-year-old man was arrested on the 4500-block of Norwood Street. Investigators say the teen and the person he allegedly threatened with a gun knew each other. FOX21 cannot name the suspect until he’s been formally charged by prosecutors. Police are recommending charges of attempted murder, possessing an illegal firearm,…

Haunted Ship Wrecks Past Attendance Records

DULUTH, Minn. — How many people can the Haunted Ship scare? Well, apparently a record-breaking amount. Thousands trekked through the tank of terror this October, 29,525 to be exact, and that’s not counting ghosts. A new single day record was also set at more than 4,000 people. This year’s theme was “What are you afraid of?” tapping into people’s phobias…

Duluth Downtown Task Force Holds News Conference To Reveal Recommendations

DULUTH, Minn. — Many people who care about Downtown Duluth have been worried about its future, but Tuesday there were 27 recommendations on how to make it better. The backdrop was the Minnesota Surplus Store on Superior Street. A 15-member task force has been meeting since April, after Mayor Emily Larson made downtown a priority in her State of the…

Christmas Assistance Applications Now Accepted At Salvation Army In West Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Those who may need some help celebrating Christmas this year can sign up for assistance starting Tuesday. At the Duluth Salvation Army, families can apply for different types of assistance for the holidays. Applications for the Salvation Army’s Christmas dinner package can sign up November 1 through November 23. This dinner option is still available for households…

Union Gospel Mission Celebrating 100 Years of Serving Northlanders

Tuesday also marked the reopening of their great dining hall which serves sit-down meals

DULUTH, Minn.–Back in 1922 more than 20 churches of different denominations came together to form the Union Gospel Mission food bank. Today they celebrated 100 years of serving the community with a ribbon cutting. Union Gospel Mission is a space where Duluthians in need can rely on picking up hot, ready-to-eat meals. They also provide shelter through their transitional housing…

Families Unleash Grief And Anger On Parkland School Shooter

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Families of the 17 children and staff members Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz murdered cursed him to hell, wished him a painful death and called him a coward Tuesday as they got their one chance to address him directly before he is sentenced to life in prison. For hours, parents, wives, siblings, children and some of the 17 Cruz…

42-Year-Old Deer River Woman Pleaded Guilty To Murder and Arson

Crystal Wilson of Deer River stabbed a Ball Club man to death and later set his camper on fire with his body still inside.

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. — A woman from Deer River has pleaded guilty to Second Degree Intentional Murder and First Degree Arson. 42-year-old Crystal Marie Wilson is accused of stabbing a man to death in Ball Clun, Minnesota back in July. According to the criminal complaint, Wilson told investigations that she had been doing meth and drinking alcohol that day. She…

Former Vikings Coach Adam Zimmer Dead At 38

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Former Minnesota Vikings co-defensive coordinator Adam Zimmer has died. He was 38 years old. His sister, Corri, confirmed the news in a social media post Tuesday morning. In the post, she said he passed away Monday night. “I can’t believe I’m writing this. I lost my big brother yesterday. The kindest, sweetest, family loving, sports obsessed soul there ever was….

House GOP’s Possible Newcomers Include Outsiders, Extremists

WASHINGTON (AP) — At least three Republicans running for the U.S. House attended the “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6, 2021, and made their way toward the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection to stop Joe Biden’s election. Countless other House Republican candidates are skeptics and deniers of the 2020 election lost by Donald Trump. There are veterans of the Iraq and…

Powerball Jackpot Jumps To $1.2 Billion After No Winner On Halloween

(Fox 9) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Powerball jackpot has soared to an estimated $1.20 billion after no ticket matched all six numbers on Halloween night. The winner, who must match numbers on five white balls (1-69) and the red Powerball (1-26), also has the option to claim a one-time lump sum payment of an estimated $596.7 million before taxes. Lottery officials said the current jackpot ranks…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Junk Hunt Returns for 10th Year Anniversary

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Junk Hunt is a three-day indoor market filled with vintage goodness. This year, it’s celebrating 10 years of success. Event organizer, Emily Broman, joined FOX21 in studio to preview the event. There will be over 100 booths and vendors from across the state. It’s taking place at the DECC on November 3 (4-7pm) and November…

Group Hosts Trick-Or-Treating Event With Shipwreck Stories

DULUTH, Minn. — Lake Superior has its number of ghostly stories, and one group is bringing that experience to trick-or-treaters. Over at the Harrison Community Center, people could hear some ghostly-inspired stories of the shipwrecks of Lake Superior with seven different scenes, including one about the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. The event has been postponed twice due to COVID, but this…

Lake Superior Zoo Offers Special Treats for Animals on Halloween

DULUTH, Minn.–It’s not just humans getting treats on Halloween, animals are too! On Monday, the Lake Superior Zoo’s Egyptian fruit bats were chowing down on some fresh fruit. Then a few hours later, staff fed giant pumpkins to their two brown bears named Tundra and Banks. The giant pumpkins had been displayed for “Boo at the Zoo” that visitors could…

Community Garden Program Free to Public in Lincoln Park

The plot of land is at the intersection of West Third Street and North Twenty Ninth Avenue West, near Harrison Park.

DULUTH, Minn.–Even though it’s not gardening season, a community garden in Lincoln Park is still looking for those with a green thumb to get involved. There’s a plot near Harrison Park that is now reserved for growing fruits and vegetables. This garden was awarded two free libraries through the city of Duluth’s Love Your Block campaign. The free libraries that…

Enger Park Golf Course Closing For The Season

DULUTH, Minn. — Enger Park Golf Course is on their final stroke before the season comes to an end. Enger Park announced Friday, the golf course itself, as well as the driving range will close for the season on Wednesday. However, with the holidays quickly approaching, the Clubhouse will remain open to anyone looking to get something for that special…

Police: Pelosi Suspect Wanted To Hold House Speaker Hostage

WASHINGTON (AP) — The man accused of attacking Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, told police he wanted to hold the speaker hostage and “break her kneecaps,” authorities said Monday. David DePape, 42, confronted a sleeping Paul Pelosi in the couple’s San Francisco bedroom early Friday morning, according to a federal affidavit filed in court Monday. Federal…

Garfield Avenue Closed Earlier Due To Oversized Truck Being Stuck

Garfield Avenue opened back up to traffic at 12:50 p.m.

Pictures taken from MnDOT’s Facebook page. DULUTH, Minn. — A main road in Duluth was closed earlier Monday due to an oversized truck load being stuck. It was blocking the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Helberg Drive. As a result, shortly before 12:30 p.m., the closure backed up any Duluth-bound vehicles trying to come off the bridge. The Blatnik eventually…

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Monday Is Last Day To Apply For Limited Waiver

WASHINGTON (Fox 9) – Teachers, first responders, government workers, and others in public service roles have until Monday to file applications for a special waiver related to student loan forgiveness. Last year, temporary changes were made to U.S. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), a troubled student loan forgiveness program designed for borrowers working in public service jobs — but long criticized for its complex requirements….

Suspension Bridge Collapse Kills At Least 133 In India

MORBI, India (AP) — Military teams were searching Monday for people missing after a 143-year-old suspension bridge collapsed into a river Sunday in the western Indian state of Gujarat, sending hundreds plunging into the water and killing at least 133 in one of the country’s worst accidents in years. As families mourned the dead, attention was turning to why the…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth East Presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth East presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid performance. Greyson Holste (Prince Eric) and Mia Patronas (Skuttle) joined FOX21 in-studio to preview their upcoming show. The show is taking place at Duluth East High School; November 3-5 at 7pm and Nov 6 Sunday at 1 pm. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults Ticket Sales are at the…

States Struggle With Pushback After Wave Of Policing Reforms

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The national reckoning on race and policing that followed the death of George Floyd — with a Minneapolis police officer’s knee on his windpipe — spurred a torrent of state laws aimed at fixing the police. More than two years later, that torrent has slowed. Some of the initial reforms have been tweaked or even rolled…

Glensheen’s Pumpkin Hunt Runs Through Halloween

DULUTH, Minn. — If you’re looking for something to do on Halloween, search no more, as Glensheen has something for you to find. The century-old mansion is hiding pumpkins across their estate, and while you’ll find no hints here, we can tell you that there’s nine of them both inside and outside the mansion. Find all nine and you’ll be…

Hennepin County Man Killed, 5 Others Injured In Wisconsin Crash

ST. CROIX, Wis. (FOX 9) – A 54-year-old man from Hennepin County died Sunday morning following a crash in Wisconsin with a suspected drunk driver who traveled the wrong way on I-94, according to the state’s department of transportation. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-94 near mile marker 4 in St. Croix. The Wisconsin State Patrol…

19 People With Disabilities Get Service Dogs Thanks To Minnesota Nonprofit

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Without the help of a service animal, Twin Cities teacher Allie Brown says she’d likely be unable to live alone because of a medical condition. But this weekend, Can Do Canines stepped in to help her and 19 other people in need. The organization relies on donations to breed and train service animals for people with disabilities, matching more than…

Duluth Awarded Minnesota Land Trust ‘Partner of the Year’

DULUTH, Minn. – A special honor for Duluth today as the Minnesota Land Trust awarded the city their Partner of the Year for its effort in recognizing the potential of outdoor recreation and green space preservation. This is part of the trust’s 2022 Treasured Places event, and the first time Duluth has received this award. Contributing factors include cleaning up…

CAMPAIGN 2022: Minnesota GOP Begin “Heal Minnesota Tour” in Northland; Obama Campaigns for Democrats in Wisconsin

DULUTH & HIBBING, Minn. – While the Halloween season is winding down, campaign season is going strong as Election Day is 10 days away. The Minnesota GOP began their “Heal Minnesota Tour” in Duluth and Hibbing Saturday morning. The people who gathered at Duluth International Airport as part of the Minnesota GOP’s “Heal Minnesota Tour” on October 29, 2022. It featured…

Mont Du Lac Hosts Haunt the Hill Event

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Mont Du Lac Resort got into the Halloween spirit this weekend with their first ever ‘Haunt the Hill’ event. Festivities kicked off Friday and were followed with today’s activities that included pumpkin carving, a kids Halloween costume contest, haunted hayrides, a spooky buffet, and horror movie trivia. Other activities included Color-Your-Own Mask and live music from Indecent…