News

Wanted Fugitive Arrested In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Police say a wanted fugitive was arrested on Monday afternoon. FOX21 cannot name him because he has not been charged yet. The Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force verified the fugitive’s location at 3 p.m. The 29-year-old was found on the 400-block of North 76th Avenue West. He had a a warrant for violation of probation…

Northern Lakes Food Bank New Facility

DULUTH, Minn. – Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank has recently purchased a new facility in the Morgan Park Neighborhood. Previously the Ikonics Corporation building, the space was purchased by Second Harvest for 6.7 million dollars. The food banks current facility was built 20 years ago and operations have since outgrown its capacity. The new space will allow the food…

Missing Teen Alert: Sebastion Wolberson-O’Hara

GRASSTON, Minn. — The Pine County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing teen. 15-year-old Sebastion Wolberson-O’Hara was last seen riding his bike this past Friday evening in Grasston where he lives. Investigators believe he might be trying to travel down to the Twin Cities. The teen doesn’t have a cellphone. It’s also unknown what…

Man Falls Overboard and Drowns on Elm Island Lake after Fishing with Friends

AITKIN COUNTY, Minn.–A man out fishing with friends has drowned after falling into the waters of Elm Island Lake in the Nordland Township. Last Saturday, August 13, around 4:00 p.m., Aitkin County dispatch got a call that 25-year-old Daniel Nelson, of Hopkins, Minnesota fell overboard. Deputies responded to the report of a group of friends that had been fishing for…

Increased Fee to Play on Two Outdoor Hockey Rinks

DULUTH, Minn. — For the last 70 years, Duluth Amateur Hockey Association, also know as DAHA, has managed outdoor rinks across the area. The association is run by parents and volunteers in the community. Starting this fall, the city plans to charge DAHA for utilities at 7 of the outdoor rinks, leaving payers and players frustrated. Two of the local…

Monday Marks One Year Since Greenwood Wildfire Erupted

Greenwood Fire/USDA Forest Service DULUTH, Minn. –  One year ago, Aug. 15, 2021, lighting sparked the massive Greenwood Wildfire in northern Minnesota that would burn for months. The abnormally dry conditions fueled the flames, scorched nearly 30,000 acres of land and destroyed dozens of cabins and outbuildings. Nobody was hurt or killed during the weeks-long firefight and evacuations, which included…

Rip Current Warning Issued For Park Point Beaches

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department issued a Rip Current Warning for Park Point beaches Monday, which will last until 10 a.m. Tuesday. “This warning means that wind and wave conditions can support rip currents,” according to Assistant Chief Dennis Edwards. “Rip currents are life-threatening to anyone entering the water. Stay out of the water regardless of your swimming…

Bayfront Blues Festival Wraps Up

DULUTH, Minn.– It was nothing but warm weather and sunny skies for the final day of the 33rd annual Bayfront Blues Festival. More than 20,000 fans came out to watch over 30 different blues acts from all over the nation. Being one of the largest outdoor blues music events in the upper Midwest. People travel from all over, year after…

Fire Decimates Pole Building In Carlton County

SKELTON TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A pole building is a total loss after a fire in the Skelton Township on Saturday. The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office says the call came in on Saturday at 11:46 p.m. for a fire on the 4400-block of County Road 6. Officials say a homeowner had used a wood stove in the structure earlier that day….

Minnesota Saw A 21% Violent Crime Increase In 2021, According To A New Report

(FOX 9) – One day after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he will keep reinforcements in Minneapolis indefinitely to help curb violent crime, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) released its 2021 Uniform Crime Report Friday, which showed a 21.6% increase in violent crime in the state in 2021. The report offers an annual summary of crime data submitted by law…

Wisconsin GOP Leader Vos Fires 2020 Election Investigator

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s Republican Assembly leader on Friday ended a 14-month, taxpayer-funded inquiry into the 2020 election by firing his hand-picked investigator. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos’ firing of Michael Gableman came just three days after the lawmaker narrowly survived a primary challenge from an opponent endorsed by former President Donald Trump and Gableman. While Gableman found no evidence of widespread…

Thousands Come Out for Annual Bayfield County Fair

“We have so much entertainment going on. The carnival of course, we have three on three basketball tournament happening today, we have a lumberjack show, we have a juggler,” Mary Motiff, director for Bayfield County Fair, said. The annual Bayfield County Fair is back yet again. Bringing in their classic rides, typical fair foods, and other fun attractions. Families from…

Elite Handball Tournament Comes Back to Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.– The Minnesota Handball Elite Series hosted their fourth annual Northshore Handball Tournament over at the Duluth Area Family YMCA downtown location. Eight of the regions top handball talents came out to not only showcase their skills, but to compete against each other for the Alva Rankin Memorial Cup. Which honors one of Duluth’s all-time greatest handball players. We…

St. Louis County’s Attorney’s Office Welcomes Two New Hires

(from left to right) Jacqueline Primeau, St. Louis County Attorney Kimberly Maki, Kristyn OyeDULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County’s Attorney’s Office has two new members. Kirstyn Oye and Jacqueline Primeau were sworn in by County Attorney Kimberly Maki during a ceremony Thursday. Oye will fill the position made vacant by Jessica Fralich, who left to become a judicial referee for the…

LSC Kickoff Event

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s not just elementary and high school age kids who need to get ready to return to the classrooms. Lake Superior College held their first of three kickoff events Friday. It’s for all students, whether they are new or returning. Students were able to take care of things before the school year starts such as getting books,…

Great Lakes Fishery Research Uses New Drone Technologies

ASHLAND, Wisc.–Researchers are changing the way they monitor fish populations in the Great Lakes. Tuesday, August 9, researchers welcomed community leaders and fishery managers to the lakeshores of Ashland, Wisconsin, showcasing new state-of-the-art technologies. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Great Lakes Fishery Commission partnered with Saildrone Inc. to come up with a robot-like sail drone, as well as…

Back-to-School Teacher’s Day at Fitgers Bookstore

DULUTH, Minn. — It was Back-to-School Teacher’s Day at Fitgers Bookstore, featuring a variety of discounts and giveaways. Twice a year, the bookstore holds a sale dedicated to educators of early childhood to 12th grade students. Organizers say that the event is to support teachers in classroom preparations, and to encourage them to shop with local vendors. Today, teachers were…

Career Lab in Duluth Reopens to the Public

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s Workforce Center has opened its Career Lab to the public for the first time since April of 2020. As of last week, people can stop-by the lab without an appointment, and receive help with anything related to employment and job training. Throughout the pandemic, all support from the Workforce Center was virtual. Helping people apply for…

Minnesota State Senator David Tomassoni passed away after battle with ALS

CHISHOLM, Minn. – A longtime member of the Minnesota Legislature who represented the Iron Range for nearly 30 years has died. The Facebook page of State Senator David Tomassoni says he passed away Thursday night, August 11, 2022.  He was 69. The Chisholm native, who played professional hockey in Italy and was part of the country’s hockey team at the 1984…

Brother, Sister, Childhood Friend Of ‘Born Too Late’ Perform Live

DULUTH, Minn. — Band members from Born Too Late, made up of a brother, sister and their childhood friend, stopped by the morning show Friday to talk about their success and unique style of music. Check out the interview in the video above, and see the videos below for two live performances. Song 1: Song 2: Categories: Coffee Conversation, Entertainment,…

Local Author, Illustrator Publish Children’s Book ‘New Moon’s Family’

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth author Erika Adams and illustrator Eric Soderstrom stopped by the morning show Friday to discuss a children’s book they’ve partnered on called New Moon’s Family. To purchase the book on Amazon, click here. To contact Erika, check out her website at elatales.com or e-mail her at elatales@gmail.com.   Categories: Coffee Conversation, Education, Minnesota, News, News –…

Coffee Conversation: Two Harbors Art Festival Aug. 12-14

Duluth artist Cheyenne Vavrina was in studio Friday morning to show of her fantastic wooden art work while previewing this weekend’s Two Harbors Art Festival.  Click the video to see her work, and click here to learn more about the festival happening Aug. 12-14. Categories: Business, Coffee Conversation, Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Federal Government Funding $25 Million Of Duluth’s West Superior Street Reconstruction Project

DULUTH, Minn. — The Department of Transportation will cover almost $25 million of a future project in Duluth to reconstruct two miles of West Superior Street in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. It’s one of six infrastructure projects in Minnesota receiving funding from the RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) program. All of the underground pipes that handle water,…

Governor Walz And Governor Evers Ask DOT For Nearly $900 Million To Fund Blatnik Bridge Rebuild

MINNESOTA/WISCONSIN– The governors of Minnesota and Wisconsin are asking the federal government for $889.5 million to support the Blatnik Bridge project. The money would come from the bipartisan infrastructure law that was created last fall. The Blatnik Bridge is 61-years-old and sees roughly 33,000 cars and trucks driving on it every day going between Duluth and Superior. Officials say its…

Bayfront Blues Festival Set to Return for 33rd Year

DULUTH, Minn. – The Bayfront Blues Festival returns to Duluth Friday for its 33rd year. The festival at Bayfront is one of the top 25 blues festivals in the nation and features national, Midwest, and local acts. Such acts include Ruthie Foster, Mike Zito, and Canned Heat. The festival is also bringing back the After Party where the public is…

Sensory-Friendly Day with Thomas the Tank Engine

DULUTH, Minn. — Thomas the Tank Engine is known by kids worldwide, including those on the spectrum. Today, the North Shore Railroad held a sensory-friendly event, for kids to spend time with Thomas in a quieter setting. Five years ago, Duluth became the first in the country to hold a sensory-friendly day with Thomas. Featuring less noise, smaller crowds, and…

Eighth Annual Operation K-9

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Operation K-9 returned to the Northland for it’s eighth year, presenting the public with a show of talent from police dogs across the area. Taking part were K-9’s and their handlers from five local law-enforcement agencies: St. Louis County, Douglas County, Duluth Police, Superior Police, and Hermantown. “It’s a great time, this is something the dogs love…

Monday Hearing Set For 2 Ex-Cops In George Floyd’s Killing

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A judge scheduled a hearing for Monday on the “status of plea negotiations” for the two remaining officers awaiting trial on state charges in the killing of George Floyd, with the hearing coming after the judge’s window for accepting any deal appears to have closed. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill said in previous orders that he would not accept…

Justice Dept. Seeks To Unseal Search Warrant Of Trump Home

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has asked a court to unseal the warrant the FBI received before searching the Florida estate of former President Donald Trump, Attorney General Merrick Garland said Thursday, acknowledging the extraordinary public interest in the case. The request was striking because such documents traditionally remain sealed during a pending investigation. But the Justice Department appeared to…

US Wholesale Inflation Fell In July For 1st Time In 2 Years

WASHINGTON (AP) — Prices at the wholesale level fell from June to July, the first month-to-month drop in more than two years and a sign that some of the U.S. economy’s inflationary pressures cooled last month. Thursday’s report from the Labor Department showed that the producer price index — which measures inflation before it reaches consumers — declined 0.5% in July. It…

15,000 MNA Nurses To Hold Strike Vote Monday In Duluth, Twin Cities

DULUTH, Minn. — 15,000 nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association are planning to hold a strike vote on Monday, according to a press release. Nurses in the Twin Ports and Twin Cities are coming together for the first time to fight for fair contracts to hold healthcare executives accountable to put patients before profits. “Corporate healthcare policies in our hospitals…

YWCA Duluth’s GirlPower! Program To End, Exec. Dir. Talks What’s Next

DULUTH, Minn. — The YWCA Duluth’s GirlPower! program is coming to an end after more than two decades of uplifting and guiding countless young girls. Some of the girls who have been through the program stopped by FOX 21’s morning show Thursday to talk about its impact on them. The YWCA is hosting a GirlPower! Farewell Party Aug. 21 at…

Man Finds Lost Dog After Boat Crash: “The Right Place at the Right Time”

TWIN PORTS, Minn. — The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office responded to a water emergency on Lake Superior on Tuesday night. “At approximately 11 p.m. we were paged out to a water emergency in the Superior entry. A boat ran into some rocks, was taking on water, and sinking,” Carter Nelson, Sergeant with the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, said….

Haunted Ship to add New Props and More Fear

DULUTH, Minn. — In less than two months, the William A Irvin Ship Museum will transform into a tank of terror. The haunted ship has taken place in Duluth for the last 30 years, drawing in thousands annually. Right now, crews are hard at work, building new props for this years event. Hop onboard, walk the plank, and run through…