News

Award And Author Event Supporting Duluth Public Library

DULUTH, Minn. — The Greysolon Ballroom was packed Sunday afternoon with the Duluth Public Library’s supporters. The Olga Walker Awards were presented to some of the biggest donors to the library. The event also featured Korean American author Maria Myung-Ok Lee who read an excerpt from her novel titled “The Evening Hero,” which she also signed copies of. Lee also…

International Fly-Fishing Film Festival Gathered Anglers To Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The film industry in Duluth has been growing in recent years, but one winter festival in particular looks to reel in some action. Over at Clyde Iron Works, more than a dozen films directed by fly fishermen were shown in the International Fly-Fishing Festival. This year’s event was hosted by Gitchee Gumee Trout Unlimited in partnership with…

Monday School Closings, Delays, E-Learning

The following schools are closed, delayed or operating as e-learning for Monday, Feb. 27: Cloquet School Dist.: E-learning Barnum School Dist.: Closed Birchwood School Dist.: E-learning Esko School Dist.: E-learning Hayward School Dist.: Closed Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School: Closed Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University: Closed McGregor School Dist.: 2-hour delay Moose Lake School Dist.: E-learning Northwoods School Dist.: Closed…

Thousands Gather for Birkebeiner Ski Race

HAYWARD, Wisc.– Covering 50 kilometers the Slumberland American Birkiebeiner started in the city of Cable Saturday morning and finished in Hayward. The race started in 1973 and has now expanded to a 5 day long event. The Birkie is the largest cross-country ski marathon in North America. Besides the main event held Saturday, there was a junior race and a…

Pilot Who Crashed Into St. Louis River Was Cirrus Design Engineer

2/25/23: DULUTH, Minn. – The pilot who died after the plane he was operating crashed into the St. Louis River Friday has been identified as David Rathbun, of Hermantown, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. Courtesy: Daniel Rathbun According to David’s brother, Daniel, he was a “brilliant” design engineer for Cirrus Aircraft in Duluth. “David was instrumental in…

Attempted Felony Arrest Ends In Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police confirmed Friday evening that a man shot by a Duluth police officer during an attempted felony arrest has died. The shooting happened around 2:20 p.m. on the 1500 block of East Third Street. The 34-year-old suspect, who was not identified Friday, was taken to a hospital where he later died. Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa…

US Commits $2 Billion In Drones, Ammunition, Aid To Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon announced a new package of long-term security assistance for Ukraine on Friday, marking the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion with a $2 billion commitment to send more rounds of ammunition and a variety of small, high-tech drones into the fight. The announcement comes just days after President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv and pledged America’s continuing commitment to…

Duluth Man Charged In Alleged Involvement Of Drive-By Shootings

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man has been formally charged in his alleged involvement in multiple drive-by shootings that occurred the end of January. The Duluth Police Department says 19-year-old Kristopher Kautz is charged with 11 counts of Drive-By-Shooting, two counts of Possessing a Machine Gun, and 6 counts of Possessing a Firearm with no Serial Number. He was charged…

Pedestrian Killed By Snowplow In Rochester

ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX 9) – A pedestrian was killed in a crash with a snowplow in Rochester Friday morning. The incident, which involved a City of Rochester plow, happened at 8:54 a.m. Friday on Pinewood Road Southeast, the city said. Police responded to the incident and confirmed the pedestrian was dead. The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the crash. “The City of Rochester…

Key US Inflation Measure Surges At Fastest Rate Since June

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge rose last month at its fastest pace since June, an alarming sign that price pressures remain entrenched in the U.S. economy and could lead the Fed to keep raising interest rates well into this year. Friday’s report from the Commerce Department showed that consumer prices rose 0.6% from December to January,…

148th Fighter Wing Members Return From Norway

Duluth, Minn. — They’re back, Airmen from the 148th Fighter Wing, are back after taking part in the 50th exchange of military personnel between Norway and Minnesota. Two of the nearly 100 National Guard members who took part in the training talked with Fox 21 about their experience. “Sometimes you think you know everything but you don’t until you’re taught…

Lone Movie Theatre in International Falls to Close

INT’L FALLS, Minn. — The only movie Theatre within a 60-mile radius of International Falls, Cine 5, announced plans to shut down due to a pipe issue following Tuesday, Feb. 28. The announcement came as multiple Facebook posts on Thursday. Owners stated that an ongoing pipe problem has prompted the closure. “Yes we are closing due to the pipe issue….

Tears, Defiance And New Tanks In Ukraine For War Anniversary

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s leader pledged Friday to push for victory in 2023 as he and other Ukrainians marked the somber anniversary of the Russian invasion that upended their lives and Europe’s security. It was Ukraine’s “longest day,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, but the country’s dogged resistance a year on has proven that “every tomorrow is worth fighting for.” On a day of commemorations, reflection…

UPDATE: Winter Storm Shuts Down Ashland Roadway For 9 Hours

Highway 2/13 was declared "impassable."

UPDATE (Feb. 24, 8:30 a.m.) — The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says the stretch of US 2/Wisconsin 13 is open. The roadway had been closed for about 9 hours Thursday. It opened back up at 4:05 p.m. ORIGINAL POST: Howling winds and driven snow are blowing through Ashland, and at least one roadway has said, “Okay, Enough Already!” The Wisconsin…

Third Annual “Spirit Loves Duluth Days”

DULUTH, Minn. — A local ski resort is saying thank you to Duluth residents by offering special discounted rates Thursday and Sunday. Spirit Mountain is putting on its third annual Spirit Loves Duluth Days. They’re offering $5 passes on lift tickets, Nordic passes, rentals, and tubing. The hill puts this on to show appreciation for the City of Duluth, which…

Snow Slows, But Doesn’t Shut Down, Northwest Wisconsin

Northwestern, Wisc. —  The snow came, just not as much as we thought there would be…none-the-less…people stayed hunkered down in their homes. With schools closed, business and government offices shut down, there was not too much vehicular traffic in Superior and these was even less pedestrian traffic. While the city didn’t have as many issues with the wind, it was…

Future Of Bergquist Imports In Cloquet ‘Uncertain’ After Fire

CLOQUET, Minn. – The future of Bergquist Imports in Cloquet is uncertain after fire ripped through a large portion of the business Wednesday night. While most of the warehouse houses Bergquist Imports, part of the building also housing Erbert and Gerbert’s as a storefront along the 1400 block of Highway 33. Alan Kurtz, owner of the sandwich shop, told FOX…

Duluth Public Library Partnership in Remodel Plans

DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth Public Library will soon upgrade their community service center. Mayor Emily Larson revealed a partnership with the Library Foundation at a press conference on Wednesday. Redesign on the facility is expected to start late 2024, with construction hoping to start soon after. The extent of the remodel has not be determined yet, but will be centered…

Minnesota Legislature Making Progress On Bill To Discourage Catalytic Converter Thefts

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota is one of the top states for catalytic converter thefts, and after years of roadblocks, the state legislature is now making some progress on a bill that would discourage it. On Monday, the state House passed a bill that would make it illegal for scrap metal buyers to accept catalytic converters cut off of vehicles….

On Stand, Alex Murdaugh Denies Killings But Admits Lying

(AP) — Disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh denied killing his wife and son but admitted lying to investigators about when he last saw them alive as he took the stand in his own defense Thursday. Murdaugh, 54, is charged with murder in the fatal shootings of his wife, Maggie, 52, and their 22-year-old son, Paul, who were killed near kennels on…

NTSB: No Alert For Train Crew Until Just Before Derailment

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — The crew operating a freight train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, did not receive a critical warning about an overheated axle until just before dozens of cars went off the tracks, federal safety investigators said in a report Thursday as U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg made his first visit to the crash site. An…

Raimondo Seeks To Rally US Behind $52 Billion Chip Program

WASHINGTON (AP) — Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Thursday called on the country to unite around a $52 billion effort to restore the U.S. as the world leader in advanced computer chips, saying it will require training of tens of thousands of workers. “The research, innovation and manufacturing sparked by this law will enable us to be the technological superpower, securing our…

Former Wisconsin Governor “Tony” Earl Dies At 86

The state's 41st Governor had a stroke last weekend and passed away today.

Former Wisconsin Governor Anthony “Tony” Earl died today after suffering a stroke over the weekend. The announcement came from current Governor, Tony Evers. Evers said Earl had been hospitalized since the stroke, and had been surrounded by his close family. Earl was 86. Earl was governor from 1983 to 1987. You can read Evers full statement and background on Earl…

MSP Airport Flight Cancellations Top 200 So Far Thursday

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – After hundreds of cancellations at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Wednesday, another 200 flights have already been canceled on Thursday morning. According to MSP Airport’s website, as of 8:50 a.m., 238 flights have been canceled, 10 have been delayed and zero have been diverted. That’s about 30% of outgoing flights and 20% of incoming flights. However, some flights have…

City Of Duluth Releases Winter Storm Information, Closings, Delays

DULUTH, Minn. — The City of Duluth’s communications office released the following information about the winter storm: Due to the impending winter storm, the City of Duluth is providing some updates to City facility availability and programming on City properties tomorrow: As of 5:00 PM Wednesday, City Hall will remain open tomorrow. Some departments may have limited in-person staffing tomorrow,…

Authorities: TV Reporter, Girl Fatally Shot In Florida

A central Florida television journalist and a little girl were fatally shot Wednesday afternoon near the scene of a fatal shooting from earlier in the day, authorities said. Orange County Sheriff John Mina said during a news conference Wednesday evening that they’ve detained Keith Melvin Moses, 19, who they believe is responsible for both shootings in the Orlando-area neighborhood. Besides…

St. Louis County Unveils New 911 Dispatch Center

Duluth, Minn. — The new 911 Emergency Communications Center in St. Louis County has 14 working stations that support 180 user agencies – police, fire and EMS. On an average year, dispatchers answer 205,000 calls throughout the county. The new state-of-the-art took a year of planning, and the actual switchover took about five months.  During that time, the dispatch center…

Minnesota Celebrates 7th Annual School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

MINNESOTA — Wednesday is all about our school bus drivers here in Minnesota as it’s School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. The day is held in hopes of drawing attention to these dedicated professionals and the statewide bus driver shortage. Governor Tim Walz proclaimed the day in the State of Minnesota saying: “Minnesota’s school bus drivers are in the fabric of…

Protasiewicz, Kelly Advance In Wisconsin High Court Primary

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A liberal Milwaukee judge and a conservative former state Supreme Court justice won Tuesday’s primary to face off in a pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court race that will determine majority control with major issues looming. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Janet Protasiewicz and ex-Justice Dan Kelly were the top two vote-getters in a four-candidate field and advance to the…

Local Library Hosts Mini Golf For Families

DULUTH, Minn. — Kids were putting their putt-putt skills to the test Tuesday at the Duluth Public Library. The library is taking advantage of many kids having the week off of school for winter break. And to get families to come out they set up 9-holes of mini golf that is absolutely free. Kids will even get to pick a…

Driver’s Licenses For All Bill Passes Minnesota Senate

St. Paul, Minn. (Fox 9) – The Minnesota Senate has approved the “driver’s licenses for all” bill, the culmination of a long-running campaign to give tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants the right to drive legally in Minnesota. The bill, dubbed “driver’s licenses for all,” would allow the estimated 81,000 undocumented immigrants in Minnesota to take the state’s knowledge test and receive…

UMD Medical School Graduates the Second Highest Number of Indigenous Doctors

Duluth, Minn. –The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Medical School has the distinction of having graduated the second largest number of native or indigenous medical professionals in the nation.  Only Oklahoma State University has more. The Center of American Indian and Minority Health Department has been a part of UMD’s Medical School for more than 40 years. Dr. Mary Owen, an…

Pine County Sheriff’s Office Involved In 2 ‘Use-Of-Force’ Incidents Tuesday

PINE COUNTY, Minn. – The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating two separate use-of-force incidents that unfolded Tuesday with the Pine County Sheriff’s Office. The first incident happened around 2 p.m. in Pine City in the form of a shooting. Deputing were trying to arrest a man wanted on a felony warrant. The BCA said at one point deputies fired…

Duluth Man Convicted Of Killing Then-Fiancé’s 3-Year-Old Son

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man accused of killing his then-fiancé’s young son has been found guilty of the crime. St. Louis County Judge Teresa Neo convicting Jordan Carter, 32, of second-degree murder Tuesday. This comes after Carter waived his right to a jury trial. It was in September of 2020 when Carter told investigators he found 3-year-old Cameron Gordon…

Plant Swap at the Library

DULUTH, Minn. – People who really love their plants took that love to the next level Tuesday for a plant swap at the West Duluth Library. Plant buddings from a variety of species like jades, aloes, and spider plants were all involved in the swap. The only rule for these green thumbs: donate one plant to take one plant. But…

Protest Calls for Cloquet Schools to Get Tougher on Bullying

CLOQUET, Minn. – The issue of bullying in schools taking center stage outside Cloquet High School Tuesday. Some parents and students saying they’ve had enough. They say they want the school district to get tougher on bullying, saying the problem is at a breaking point. The district says it investigates and deals with concerns brought to them. People were holding…

Peacetime Emergency Declared By Gov. Walz Due To Upcoming Winter Storm

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Governor Tim Walz called for a peacetime emergency and authorized the National Guard to provide services during this week’s storm. With more than 20 inches of snow possible between Tuesday and Thursday and temperatures plummeting below zero, state emergency agencies are preparing to help stranded motorists throughout the state. “Minnesotans are no strangers to extreme weather, but this storm…

EPA Takes Charge Of Cleanup In Toxic Ohio Train Derailment

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — Federal environmental regulators on Tuesday took charge of the cleanup from the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment and chemical burn and ordered Norfolk Southern to foot the bill. The Environmental Protection Agency told Norfolk Southern to take all available measures to clean up contaminated air and water, and also said the company would be required…

Biden In Poland Says US And Allies ‘Have Ukraine’s Back’

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — President Joe Biden, returning on Tuesday to the Polish castle where he spoke shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year, said the war had hardened Western resolve to defend democracy around the globe. He warned that there were “hard and bitter days ahead,” but pledged that the United States and its allies would “have Ukraine’s…

Coffee Conversation: Lake Superior Modern Quilt Guild to hold Inaugural Quilt Show

DULUTH, Minn. — The Lake Superior Modern Quilt Guild (LSMQG) invites the public to its first ever quilt show to be held throughout the month of March in the Lincoln Park Craft District. LSMQG Leadership Team Members, Heidi Foltz and Jen Gustafson, joined FOX21 on the morning show to talk about the event. The LSMQG’s Modern Quilt Walkabout quilt show…