DULUTH, Minn. — Ever wondered how to curl like an Olympian? Fox 21’s Maria Vollom took a lesson with Duluth’s own Olympic-bound Korey Dropkin to find out. Categories: Coffee Conversation, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News
Fayal Township garage fire. (credit: Northland Firewire) FAYAL TOWNSHIP, Minn — A garage was destroyed last night in a fire in Fayal Township. Officials say that the fire was first reported around 5 p.m. in the area of Half Moon Lake along Highway 53. Upon arrival, crews found a garage engulfed in flames that was extending to a house nearby…
PEQUAYWAN TOWNSHIP, Minn. — Crews responded to a house fire in Pequaywon Township Thursday night. According to officials, the fire started just before 7 p.m. on Pequaywan Lake Road. The owner of the home called 911 after seeing flames near a wood stove in the basement. He was able to safely evacuate himself and his two dogs and was assessed…
President Donald Trump’s White House has established a hall of shame for journalists it finds guilty of media bias as it looks for new avenues of attack against legacy news outlets. And it’s calling on “everyday Americans” to participate with their own examples of where they consider journalists to be unfair. The Republican president has been criticizing “fake news” since his first term. Some of Trump’s attacks have turned personal in the past month. Yet despite it all, the news outlet Axios pointed out this week that mainstream news sources are as dominant as ever in setting the agenda for Washington and — somewhat ironically — capturing the president’s attention.
President Donald Trump’s administration has come out with a new national security strategy. It paints European allies as weak and aims to reassert America’s dominance in the Western Hemisphere. The document was released Friday by the White House. It’s sure to upset long-standing U.S. allies in Europe for its scathing critiques of their migration and free speech policies. It also suggests those allies face the “prospect of civilizational erasure” and raises doubts about their long-term reliability as American partners. The document reinforces the U.S. commitment to Trump’s “America First” philosophy.
Netflix has struck a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to buy the legacy Hollywood giant’s studio and streaming business for $72 billion. The merger, announced Friday, would bring two of the industry’s biggest players in film and TV under one roof. Beyond its namesake television and motion picture division, Warner owns HBO Max and DC Studios. And Netflix has rose to dominance as a household name ubiquitous to on-demand content, while building of its own production arm to release popular titles like “Stranger Things” and “Squid Game.” The cash and stock deal is valued at $27.75 per Warner share, giving it a total enterprise value of approximately $82.7 billion.
By REBECCA SANTANA, DAKE KANG and GISELA SALOMON - Associated Press
When President Donald Trump suspended the refugee program, he left thousands stranded worldwide. Many had prepared for new lives in America, selling possessions and ending leases. Trump later resumed the program but set a historically low entry limit, favoring mostly white South Africans. This decision has affected families like the Dawoods from Syria, who remain separated due to tightened restrictions. Chinese pastor Lu Taizhi is fleeing persecution and faces delays despite being accepted. And a refugee in the U.S. is separated from his family in Uganda. Their stories highlight the human impact of the policy changes.
Pope Leo XIV has taken his biggest step yet to correct one of Pope Francis’ more problematic financial moves. He has canceled a special Holy See fundraising commission that was announced under questionable circumstances while Francis was hospitalized. Leo abrogated the commission statutes and fired its members in a decree on Thursday. It was the latest sign that history’s first American pope is wrapping up the loose ends of Francis’ pontificate as 2025 comes to an end. Leo is correcting problems as needed and fulfilling Francis’ Holy Year obligations as he looks ahead to the new year when he can focus more on his own agenda.
The world lost influential people in 2025, and some of their deaths had significant impacts. Pope Francis died in April, leading to the election of the first American pope. The fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September sparked discussions about political violence. Virginia Giuffre’s suicide in April brought renewed attention to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and other notable politicians also died. The entertainment industry mourned the loss of Gene Hackman, David Lynch, Roberta Flack, Hulk Hogan and other stars.
By RAJESH ROY and AIJAZ HUSSAIN - Associated Press
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an annual summit, focusing on diversifying economic ties. The 23rd Russia-India Summit comes as the U.S. pushes for a Ukraine peace deal and global cooperation. On Thursday, Modi greeted Putin in New Delhi with a warm welcome. After the talks, both leaders announced a program to boost trade to $100 billion by 2030, emphasizing strong energy ties. India aims to bridge trade deficits by increasing exports. The U.S. is pressuring India to reduce its Russian oil imports, citing concerns over financing Moscow’s war efforts.
Russian drones have struck a house in central Ukraine, killing a 12-year-old boy. Officials say the attack comes during ongoing U.S. peace efforts and as long-range Ukrainian strikes reportedly are targeting a Russian port and oil refinery. U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner were set to meet with a Ukrainian delegation in Miami on Thursday. It was not immediately clear if the meeting took place. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country’s delegation in Miami wanted to hear from the U.S. side about the talks at the Kremlin.
President Donald Trump has intensified his anti-immigrant rhetoric, calling Somali immigrants in the U.S. “garbage” during a Cabinet meeting. This marks a continuation of his inflammatory language, which began with his campaign announcement a decade ago. Trump’s remarks have drawn condemnation from various quarters, including Somali-American Rep. Ilhan Omar. Critics argue that Trump’s language legitimizes xenophobia and has a significant impact on public perception. Despite backlash, Trump maintains strong support among Republicans and continues to push his immigration agenda. His rhetoric contrasts with global leaders who have softened their language to broaden appeal.
Rory McIlroy let his putter fly high, put his head in his hands and dropped to his knees as fans celebrated wildly at Augusta National. McIlroy’s sheer relief was laid bare as he ended his long wait to win the Masters and complete a career Grand Slam. Associated Press photographers were there to capture the raw emotion and unforgettable images…
Jahmyr Gibbs and the Detroit Lions have beaten the Dallas Cowboys to help their playoff chances. Gibbs ran three touchdowns in Thursday night’s 44-30 win. Gibbs’ final score was a 13-yarder with 2:19 left that sealed a much-needed win for the Lions. Detroit avoided losing consecutive games for the first time in more than than three years. The Cowboys had surged into postseason contention with a three-game winning streak. But against the Lions, the NFL’s top-ranked offense had to lean on powerful kicker Brandon Aubrey too much, and Dallas’ revitalized defense was humbled.
By JACK BROOK and SARA CLINE - Associated Press/Report for America
Federal border agents have descended on a Hispanic enclave just outside New Orleans and local business owners are suffering. The city of Kenner has the highest concentration of Hispanic residents in Louisiana and has been a target of a Department of Homeland Security immigration crackdown, seeking to make 5,000 arrests, that began Wednesday. DHS said it has already made dozens of arrests, including some individuals with violent criminal regards, but only released limited information about who has been detained. Kenner resident Carmela Diaz has shuttered her taco restaurant because employees and clients are afraid to leave their homes.
Police have recovered a James Bond-inspired Fabergé pendant after six days of waiting for it to exit a suspect’s gastrointestinal tract. New Zealand Police said the pendant was retrieved without medical intervention Thursday night. They released a photo showing the pendant and chain and the jewelry’s 33,000 New Zealand dollar price tag intact. Police arrested the suspect inside an Auckland jewelry store Nov. 28 shortly after the alleged theft and had been watching him ever since waiting for the jewelry to reemerge. The pendant made of green enamel and gold and encrusted with diamonds and sapphires was inspired by the plot of the 1983 film “Octopussy.”
December’s supermoon, a phenomenon when the moon is closest to Earth, making it appear larger and brighter, is the last of three in a row in 2025. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. Categories: US & World News
DULUTH, Minn. — People gathered at Bentleyville for a visit from some fluffy friends known as the “Zoo Crew”. The annual tour of lights brought in animals from “Cook’s Country Connection” to help spark some holiday cheer, with goats, mini horses, and alpacas braving the chilly weather. If you missed the critters during their Bentleyville stay, they’ll be back out…
DULUTH, Minn. — For over 20 years, the Duluth Armory has been looking for funds and donations wherever they could them. However, thanks to a very generous anonymous local, the finish line is in sight. “We are so appreciative,” said Michelle Miller, co-executive director of the Armory Arts and Music Center. “This is a local supporter of the project who…
DULUTH, Minn. — At the start of 2025, the Jordan DeCaro Real Estate Team set a goal of raising $25,000 to support Animal Allies. The entire real estate team made a commitment to donate $100 for every home sold throughout the year. As of right now, they’ve sold 165 homes, contributing $16,500. As 2025 comes to a close, the team…
DULUTH, Minn. — People gathered at the Veterans Memorial Hall for the 20th annual remembrance dinner. The event was hosted by the St. Louis County Historical Society and is held every year to honor service members and our nation’s history. The evening featured keynote speakers, a silent auction, dinner, the Mike Colalillo Medal of Honor Scholarship, the unveiling of the…
From the election of Zohran Mamdani to the intrigue surrounding the jewel heist at the Louvre, keeping up with this year’s news also left some Americans struggling with pronunciations. That’s put both the name of New York City’s incoming mayor and the famed Paris museum on a list of the most mispronounced words in 2025. The list of words that news anchors, politicians and other public figures in the U.S. struggled with the most was released Thursday. It was compiled by the language-learning company Babbel and closed-captioning company The Captioning Group.
U.S. Southern Command says it has conducted another strike against a small boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, following a pause of almost three weeks. It is the 22nd strike the U.S. military has carried out against boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean that the Trump administration claimed were trafficking drugs. There were four casualties in Thursday’s strike, according to the social media post, bringing the death toll of the campaign to at least 87 people. In a video that accompanied the announcement, a small boat can be seen moving across the water before it is suddenly consumed by a large explosion. The video then zooms out to show the boat covered in flames and billowing smoke.
Democratic Governor Tim Walz has denounced former President Donald Trump for his comments about Minnesota’s Somali community. Trump has called the community “garbage” and labeled the state a “hellhole.” Walz said Thursday these remarks slandered all Minnesotans and were unprecedented for a U.S. president. Republican legislative leaders stopped short of condemning Trump, instead criticizing Walz for not preventing fraud in social service programs. Trump’s comments followed a conservative news outlet’s misleading claims about fraud involving Somali Americans. Federal authorities have prepared an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota targeting a small fraction of Somalis living unlawfully in the U.S. Most foreign-born Somalis in the state are naturalized U.S. citizens.
Chilly Billy’s DULUTH, Min. – MadHouse Burgers featuring Chilly Billy’s has announced that it will close its Woodland Avenue location. In a news release the restaurant said the location will soon become Sabor by Pedro’s, The owners of Sabor by Pedro’s approached MadHouse Burgers about taking over the location. The new Mexican spot from the Pedro’s team is promising to,…
Viking Ship Restoration Project KNIFE RIVER, Min. – Following more than 40-years of restoration the “Leif Erikson Viking Ship” will be on display and open to the public. Save Our Ship, Inc. has been working on the restoration. It will debut at the annual “Julebyen Christmas Village” celebration in Knife River. The boat was built in Norway in 1926 as a…
The Lake Superior Zoo is delighted to announce the birth of twin pygmy slow lorises to parents Colby and Georgio. DULUTH, Min. — The Lake Superior Zoo is announcing the birth of twin pygmy slow lorises. The infants were born on November 17, 2025 to parents Colby and Georgio. The the zoo says the babies have been, “steadily growing, exploring, and…
The Supreme Court is allowing the challenged Texas congressional redistricting plan to be used in next year’s election, despite a lower-court ruling that the map likely discriminates on the basis of race. The map is favorable to Republicans and was pushed by President Donald Trump. The justices acted Thursday on an emergency request from Texas for quick action because qualifying in the new districts already has begun, with primary elections in March. The Supreme Court’s order puts the 2-1 ruling blocking the map on hold at least until after the high court issues a final decision in the case. The effort to preserve a slim Republican majority in the House in 2026 touched off a nationwide redistricting battle.
Command photo of Command Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Erikson, the Minnesota National Guard’s Command Senior Enlisted Leader taken in Cottage Grove, Minnesota on Oct. 16, 2024. ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota National Guard is honoring Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Erikson. Chief Master Sgt. Erikson will be honored in a Saturday, December 6, 2025 ceremony. The ceremony…
Lutsen Lodge Fire DULUTH, Min. – The Bryce Campbell, the owner of the Lutsen Lodge, has been charged with burning down his own business. The fire happened on February 6, 2024. He was officially charged on February 3, 2025. Campbell’s debts and money problems were featured in the charging documents. It reads Campbell’s companies, “North Shore Resort Company, North Shore…
By GARY FIELDS and DARLENE SUPERVILLE - Associated Press
President Donald Trump has added a new architectural firm to his $300 million ballroom construction project at the White House. A White House spokesperson said Thursday that the firm, Shalom Baranes of Washington, D.C., was needed because the project is moving into a new stage. Earlier Thursday, the Trump-appointed chairman of a federal commission with jurisdiction over construction to federal buildings said he expected the White House to submit the ballroom plans this month for review. The new firm has worked on the Pentagon and Treasury buildings, among other federal properties. The initial firm, McCrery Architects, remains as a consultant.
HIBBING, Minn.– A popular European grocery chain has opened another location in the Iron Range. Aldi, the budget-friendly grocery store known for its fun finds, celebrated its grand opening today. The new location sits along highway 169 west. Shoppers can also enter a $500 gift-card sweepstakes throughout the opening weekend. One customer shared that she’s thrilled to see this new…
The Navy has released investigative reports into four mishaps that all involve the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman while it was dispatched to counterattacks on shipping by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The four reports cover a friendly fire incident in December 2024 that saw the cruiser USS Gettysburg shoot at two fighter jets from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, downing one, as well as the Truman’s collision with a merchant vessel and the loss of two more multimillion-dollar jets aboard the carrier to mishaps earlier this year.
The playing surfaces at every NFL stadium will have to meet new enhanced standards set through lab and field testing by the start of the 2028 season. NFL field director Nick Pappas detailed the plans for the program on Thursday that will provide each team “a library of approved and accredited NFL fields” before the start of next season. Any new field will immediately have to meet those standards and all teams will have two years to achieve it, whether they are grass, synthetic or a hybrid. The fields undergo extensive testing, approved by a joint committee with the NFLPA. The goal is to ensure consistent playability and reduce injury risk. Despite player preferences for grass, the NFL has no plans to mandate it, citing no significant injury differences between surface types.
By COREY WILLIAMS and MIKE HOUSEHOLDER - Associated Press
RoboCop has found a permanent home in Detroit — all 11 feet and 3,500 pounds of him. A statue of the crime-fighting movie character has been welcomed by fans since it began standing guard over Detroit Wednesday afternoon in the Motor City’s Eastern Market area. Jim Toscano says streams of people have driven by his FREE AGE film production company where the bronze mold-cast statue is bolted into concrete. “RoboCop” developed a cult following after it hit theaters in 1987. It was set in a crime-ridden near-future Detroit. The city’s homicide numbers have now dropped below mid-1960s levels, and the statue was erected without objection from city officials.
Conservation Biologist Ryan Brady with the rescued pelican ASHLAND, Wis. — A pelican in Ashland was rescued Wednesday, Dec 3, as increasing ice cover threatened it. The pelican was first spotted back in September and stuck around for much longer than usual, becoming a bit of a local celebrity. Over the past couple of months, Conservation Biologist Ryan Brady had…
Trump administration officials overseeing the latest immigration crackdown are aiming to arrest 5,000 immigrants in New Orleans and across Louisiana. They say they are targeting immigrants with violent criminal pasts. But some local leaders in New Orleans say that’s an unrealistic goal. That many arrests would surpass the number tallied during a two-month enforcement blitz this fall around Chicago, a region with a much bigger immigrant population. The president of the City Council in New Orleans says he can’t see any way how a sweep of New Orleans would result in the arrests of 5,000 criminals.
LUCAS 3 DULUTH, Minn.– St. Louis County first responders will now be better equipped to save lives, thanks to a grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, the University of Minnesota Center for Resuscitative Medicine, and Stryker. The Lucas 3 machine is an automated chest compression device. The lifesaving device allows law enforcement to focus on other tasks, while the patient…
The Trump administration has instructed U.S. embassies and consulates around the world to prioritize visa applications from foreigners wishing to visit the United States to either invest in America or attend the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics and other major sporting events. The administration also has added new criteria for highly skilled foreign workers seeking a particular visa. The new rules would deny entry to applicants deemed to have directed or participated in the censorship of American citizens on social media through content moderation initiatives that have sprung up throughout Europe and elsewhere to combat extremist speech. The steps were outlined in cables sent this week to all U.S. diplomatic missions and obtained by The Associated Press.
Eurovision 2026 Vienna Logo GENEVA (AP) — Public broadcasters from at least four countries — including Spain and the Netherlands — on Thursday pulled out of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest after organizers decided to allow Israel to compete. The developments expose how political discord has taken center stage over a usually joyful celebrating harmony through music. The pullouts, which…
Lutsen Lodge Fire Bryce Campbell UPDATE: The owner of Lutsen Lodge has been charged with arson in connection with the 2024 fire. According to court documents, Bryce James Campbell, 41, is accused of intentionally starting the fire and filing a fraudulent insurance claim. Campbell is being charged with three counts of first-degree arson and one count of insurance fraud. The…
DULUTH, Minn. — The Christmas City Express is officially on the tracks in Duluth. Executive Director of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and North Shore Scenic Railroad Ken Buehler joined Fox 21’s morning newscast to talk more about it. Click here for details and ticket information. Categories: Coffee Conversation, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News
By JAMEY KEATEN and JILL LAWLESS - Associated Press
Spain and the Netherlands have announced they are pulling out of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. This decision follows the organizers’ choice to allow Israel to compete, despite concerns over its conduct in the Gaza war. Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS stated that Israel’s participation no longer aligns with their responsibilities. The European Broadcasting Union, which runs Eurovision, voted to adopt tougher voting rules after allegations of Israel manipulating votes. The contest has faced challenges due to the war in Gaza, with some countries threatening to boycott if Israel participates. The situation has sparked political tensions within the Eurovision community.
The FBI is offering a $500,000 reward for information that helps identify the person who placed pipe bombs at the offices of the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee on January 5, 2021. WASHINGTON (AP) — A man was arrested on Thursday in the FBI’s nearly 5-year-old investigation into pipe bombs placed outside the headquarters of the Republican and…
By DAVID KLEPPER, KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and BEN FINLEY - Associated Press
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put U.S. troops at risk by sharing sensitive military plans on his personal phone. That’s according to the Pentagon’s watchdog in a report made public Thursday. It says Hegseth had the authority to declassify the material he shared about a planned strike on Houthi militants in Yemen. But the watchdog said that release violated internal Pentagon rules about handling sensitive information that could put service members or their missions in danger. Hegseth has called the investigation political and that he had the right to share the information. Hegseth’s use of Signal came to light after a journalist was inadvertently added to the group chat.
By AAMER MADHANI, CHINEDU ASADU and RUTH ALONGA - Associated Press
U.S. President Donald Trump will host the Congolese and Rwandan presidents for a deal-signing aimed at securing peace in eastern Congo. The White House has lauded the Thursday peace signing as “historic” and credited the Republican president for it. The peace signing will also open up access to eastern Congo’s critical minerals for the U.S. government and American companies. The Central African nation of Congo has been battered by a decades-long conflict with more than 100 armed groups. The most potent of them is the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. Congolese residents have expressed little hope Thursday’s signing will quickly end the fighting that has continued in eastern Congo.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting India to strengthen economic and bilateral ties. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed him in New Delhi. On Friday, they will discuss economic cooperation, focusing on defense, energy, and skilled labor mobility. This visit comes amid global tensions and efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Critics say it could affect India’s relations with the U.S. and the EU. Russia remains India’s main military supplier, and defense cooperation will be a key topic. The U.S. has criticized India’s Russian oil imports, but India defends them as essential.
An Israeli police officer killed during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the country’s war with Hamas is the last hostage whose remains are still in Gaza. Ran Gvili was 24 when he was one of 251 people in Israel abducted by Hamas militants. After a series of ceasefire-mandated exchanges of hostages for Palestinians held by Israel, Gvili’s body still has not been recovered. On Thursday, Israel mourned Gvili as a hero who died fighting. “The first to go, last to leave,” his mother, Talik Gvili, wrote on Facebook. “We won’t stop until you come back.”
President Donald Trump plans to visit Pennsylvania next week to highlight his efforts to reduce inflation. Last month’s elections showed a shift away from Republicans as affordability concerns persist. Trump argues that affordability worries are a Democratic “hoax” and that people need to hear his perspective to change their minds. It shows the dilemma faced by Trump as he tries to take credit for rewiring the U.S. economy with his large tariff hikes and extension of income tax cuts while blaming Biden for the increase nationwide in inflation rates under Trump’s watch. Inflation is currently tracking at 3% annually, up from 2.3% in April when he rolled out his tariffs.
DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Armory Arts and Music Center announced Thursday a donation of $5 million from an anonymous donor. Officials say the money will be used for matching donations for the building’s restoration project moving forward. The restoration is a $48 million project to create a lasting center for arts and entertainment while celebrating the building’s history. With…