News

Parents Speak Out About Maple School Dist. Cuts, 2nd-Grade Changes

MAPLE, Wis. — Concerned parents spoke up Monday about cuts for the Maple School District next school year as it faces a nearly $600,000 deficit. The school board held a special meeting Monday evening about the cuts after approving them Feb. 13. There are more than a half-dozen teacher positions being eliminated. And while the parents FOX 21 spoke to…

“Robo Dweebs” From Two Harbors Win Award In State Competition

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Congrats are in order for a student robotics team from Two Harbors in the FIRST LEGO League Challenge state championship. The competition was held in St. Paul on February 12th. The team, which fondly calls themselves the “Robo Dweebs,” earned second place with the Minnesota Programming Award, which recognizes those who demonstrate iterations in their process…

Politicians Confirm Cleveland-Cliffs Will Restart Operations In April

MINNESOTA — Two politicians representing Minnesota confirmed on Monday that mining company Cleveland-Cliffs plans to re-open its idling facilities in Babbitt and Silver Bay this April. Senator Amy Klobuchar (DFL-MN) and State Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-03) sent press releases applauding the company for the announcement. The mine in Babbitt and the pellet plant in Silver Bay, both owned by Cleveland-Cliffs,…

3 Dead, More Than 200 Hurt As New Quake Hits Turkey, Syria

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A new 6.4 magnitude earthquake on Monday killed three people and injured more than 200 in parts of Turkey laid waste two weeks ago by a massive quake that killed tens of thousands, authorities said. More buildings collapsed, trapping some people, while scores of injuries were recorded in neighboring Syria too. Monday’s earthquake was centered in…

Presidents Day: A Look At Some Notable Presidential Speeches In US History

(Fox 9) — Presidents Day is a federal holiday in the U.S. celebrated on the third Monday of February each year. The day recognizes George Washington’s birthday, as well as honors the history of the American presidency and all of those who have served as our nation’s leader. From Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address to Ronald Reagan’s “tear down this wall” speech…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Women’s Expo to Return for 14th Year

DULUTH, Minn. — The 14th annual Duluth Women’s Expo will return to the DECC Pioneer Hall on Saturday (2/25) showcasing more than 100 vendors and a range of offerings. The Lundeen Group Vice President Kynze Lundeen joined the FOX21 morning newscast on Monday to preview the event. Onsite you can expect to find food and drinks, shopping, activities, pampering, a…

Biden Declares ‘Kyiv Stands’ In Surprise Visit To Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Joe Biden paid an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Monday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a defiant display of Western solidarity with a country still fighting what he called “a brutal and unjust war” days before the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion. “One year later, Kyiv stands,” Biden declared after meeting Zelenskyy at…

Spirit Mountain Preps for Upcoming Events

DULUTH, Minn. – It has been a warm weekend and people were outside enjoying the weather. Over at Spirit Mountain, people are still hitting the slopes making the best out of warm winter conditions until spring finally arrives. However, the forecast might change some plans. “Looking ahead this week, we’re looking forward for more natural snow,” said Director of Resort…

Abortion Among Major Issues At Stake In Wisconsin Court Race

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A conservative tilt on the Wisconsin Supreme Court has given Republicans victories on voting restrictions, gerrymandered legislative districts and other high-stakes cases in recent years. Voters now have a chance to tip that balance toward the left, with implications for abortion rights and perhaps the outcome of the 2024 presidential election in one of the nation’s most closely divided political battlegrounds. Tuesday’s primary…

Duluth Sport Show is a Hit Once Again

DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth Sport Show has finished is third of four days back at the DECC and so just one day remains to sees all kinds of things to enjoy. It’s Saturday, so the attendance was way up from the first two days. Vendors showing everything from RV’s and resorts to Fishing equipment and boats. Vendors showed off heir…

23rd Annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

DULUTH, Minn.– The temperature may be nice for February but the water is still freezing, but that’s not stopping anyone from jumping in to support of a great cause. Many brave souls are local, but country singer Frank Ray decided to take a cold dip before his performance at Amsoil Arena tonight. “I’m so fired up to be here, it’s…

23rd ANNUAL POLAR PLUNGE

Duluth, Minn. — Lake Superior played host to the 23rd Annual Polar Plunge in Duluth this afternoon.  Some 600 people were scheduled to take the plunge to help raise funds for Special Olympics. Ryan Temple of the Duluth Police Department said, “Law enforcement is the number one supporter and fund raiser for Special Olympics and the world. So to see…

AmeriCorps Members Help Local Students with SEL

Dultuh, Minn. — The pandemic had, in the words of the Brookings Institute, a devastating impact on students.  It not only affected academic levels, but with students not having interactions with other students their social skills were also impacted. True North AmeriCorps is helping 30 schools and other organizations work with children to help the students with their Social Emotional…

Superior Family, Pets Escape Burning Home; Firefighters Credit Working Smoke Detectors

SUPERIOR, Wis. — For the second time in a week, the Superior Fire Department is crediting working smoke detectors for allowing residents to safely exit burning structures. The latest fire happened around 7:47 p.m. Friday on the 800 block of North 19th Street. Fire crews arrived four minutes later to find fire in the kitchen of the home, according to…

Maple School Dist. Plans To Eliminate Teacher Positions Amid $575K Deficit

MAPLE, Wis. – More than a half-dozen teacher positions are planning to be eliminated within the Maple School District next school year because of an anticipated $575,000 deficit, according to Supt. Sara Croney. As of Friday’s announcement, a full-time math teacher, social studies teacher and part-time library aide are being eliminated at the high school. At the middle school a…

Duluth’s Amazing Grace To Host ‘Last Hurrah’ After 27 Years In Business

Amazing Grace Cafe & Grocery, a staple in Canal Park for 27 years, will close the doors for good at the end of February. The decision to close, according to the owner Connor riley, was very difficult to make but the right one after trying to fight through the pandemic and its aftermath. Amazing Grace has been providing locally sourced,…

Ojibwe Winter Games Much More Than Games

Children learn skills tied to history and ancestors

Winter is what you make of it. And for Native Americans, it is an important time for their culture. That was on full display Friday in the cold and sunshine of February. It was the Ojibwe Winter Games at UMD’s Bagley Nature Area. In the form of very specific and unique games, school children were learning skills that native ancestors…

Fire Destroys Two-Story Home Near Cook

Courtesy: St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office BEATTY TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Fire ripped through a two-story home north of Cook Friday evening. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said the fire broke out around 4:50 p.m. on the 8700 block of Raps Road in Beatty Township. When firefighters arrived, the structure was fully engulfed in flames. Nobody was inside the home…

Biden’s Trump-Focused Campaign Could Be Risky If GOP Shifts

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden built his 2020 White House run around promises to beat Donald Trump “like a drum.” As Biden gears up for an expected reelection campaign, he insists he can do it again. But what if Trump isn’t next year’s Republican nominee? Though the GOP primary race is only just beginning, a general election pitting Biden against any other Republican could look very…

Company Fined $387K For Hiring Children To Clean Slaughterhouses In Minnesota

(FOX 9) – The company sued by the U.S. Department of Labor for using child labor at slaughterhouses and meat processing facilities in Minnesota and seven other states paid over $1.5 million in penalties on Friday, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The DOL said Packers Sanitation Services Inc (PSSI) paid civil penalties to facilities in Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Tennessee…

Talking with IRRRB Commissioner Ida Rukavina

Duluth, Minn — It’s been just a month and a half since Ida Rukavina was appointed commissioner of the IRRRB. For most of that time, she has been in St. Paul talking with legislators and committees about the IRRRB and its needs.  Rukavina is a name most people in the area will recognize…Ida Rukavina is the new commissioner of the…

5 Memphis Officers Plead Not Guilty In Death Of Tyre Nichols

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Five former Memphis police officers pleaded not guilty Friday to second-degree murder and other charges in the violent arrest and death of Tyre Nichols, with his mother saying afterward that none of them would look her in the eye in court. Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr., Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith made their first court…

Coffee Conversation: Ojibwe Winter Games Returns to UMD

DULUTH, Minn. — Ojibwe Winter Games returns to UMD for second year, displaying traditional Ojibwe games and experiences for students and community members. Iris Carufel, Assistant Director of UMD’s American Indian Learning Resource Center, joined FOX21 on Friday’s morning newscast to talk about the event and its purpose. The event is taking place from 10:00am – 3:00pm at the Bagley Nature Area. People can…

Bent Paddle Turns Original Tap Room Into THC, CBD ‘Cann-A-Lounge’

DULUTH, Minn. – Gov. Tim Walz declared Feb. 16 Beer Day in Minnesota.  That means breweries in Duluth were celebrating with specials. The Minnesota Craft Brewers Associations said it’s a day to celebrate not just the past of beer in the state, but also how far it has come, and what the future holds. In the past 20-plus years, more…

Boys and Girls Clubs Youth of the Year

DULUTH, Minn.–The Boys and Girls Clubs held their annual Youth of the Year event at Clyde Iron Works. Two boys gave speeches on their experiences and lessons learned while at the clubs. The speeches were performed for judges who could also interview the boys. The winner of tonight’s competition gets to compete for a chance at a fifty thousand dollar…

Governor’s Budget Risks Wisconsin University Tuition Hike

MIDDLETON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers’ budget leaves the University of Wisconsin System about $130 million short of what regents say they need to run their campuses over the next two years, raising questions about whether they may raise tuition to make up the shortfall. Republican lawmakers froze in-state undergraduate tuition systemwide in 2013 but lifted the freeze in 2021,…

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…