News

Councilor Hobbs: Reduce Speed Limits In Neighborhoods, Change Parking Requirements For Developers

DULUTH, Minn. – Newly appointed Duluth City Councilor Noah Hobbs is giving us an idea of what issues he’d like to tackle over the next two years of Derek Medved’s term.  Medved recently resigned to focus on his growing business. Hobbs said he’d like to lower the speed limit on residential streets from 30 miles an hour to 20 to…

Musical Bingo Fundraiser At ‘Spirit Room’ Helps Support Musicians, Outreach Programs

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Live music was flowing Thursday evening at the Spirit Room in Superior for a fun Musical Bingo fundraiser. It’s all to support Siggy’s Musical Garden. The non-profit creates outreach programs that connects local musicians with elder care facilities, youth programs and community events. One of those events is Superior Porch Fest, where dozens of musicians pop up…

Jussie Smollett Sentenced To 150 Days In Jail In Fake Attack

CHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett maintained his innocence during his sentencing hearing Thursday after a judge sentenced the former “Empire” actor to 150 days in jail for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack that he orchestrated himself. Cook County Judge James Linn sentenced Smollett to 30 months of felony probation, including 150 days in the county jail….

City of Duluth Still Looking for Public Board, Commission Members

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth is still looking for Duluthians to fill openings on their boards, commissions, and authorities. Over a dozen of them have one or multiple spots available for people to help decide how city services could operate this year. “There’s everything from what the airport’s doing,” says Public Information Officer Kate Van Daele, “to being involved…

State Public Defenders Poised To Strike Over Pay, Staffing

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – More than 700 workers involved in defending people who in most cases can’t afford to hire a private attorney have authorized what would be an unprecedented strike in Minnesota. The public defenders and staff, represented by Teamsters Local 320, rejected the latest contract offer from the Minnesota Board of Public Defense. The union and board now have…

Judge Denies Motion To Dismiss Jussie Smollett Conviction

CHICAGO (AP) – A judge has denied a motion to dismiss the conviction of actor Jussie Smollett for lying to Chicago police about a racist and homophobic attack he staged himself. Cook County Judge James Linn on Thursday upheld the jury’s verdict from December that found Smollett, who is Black and gay, guilty of five felony counts of disorderly conduct….

Movies in the Park Announces 2022 Lineup

DULUTH, Minn. – Movies in the Park is returning to Leif Erikson Park this summer! The Greater Downtown Council announced the 2022 movies line-up Thursday morning with Sing 2 kicking off the season at sunset on July 8. The full season will run from July 8 through August 26. After some robust online voting, eight movies shot to the top…

Midday Update March 10, 2022

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, March 10, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Natalie Noury and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, March 10, 2022. Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, News Update, Wisconsin Tags: Ken Slama, midday update, Natalie Noury, News, news update, weather

Russian Attack on Hospital Stirs Outrage as Talks Stall

(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) MARIUPOL, Ukraine (AP) – A Russian airstrike on a Mariupol maternity hospital that killed three people is stirring outrage, with Ukrainian and Western officials branding it a war crime. As talks to reach a broad cease-fire failed Thursday, emergency workers renewed efforts to get vital food and medical supplies into besieged cities and get traumatized residents out….

Gov. Evers Approves Funds To Improve 900 Miles of Public Roads for 2022

MADISON, Wis. – On Thursday, Gov. Tony Evers along with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced over $300,000 in state funds to maintain and improve public roads across the state. The funds were made available through the County Forest Aids program and will help maintain roads in 24 counties throughout the state. “In just three years, we’ve made major headway…

3M Joins Others in Suspending Russian Business Operations

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (AP) – 3M is joining the growing list of multinational companies that have suspended business operations in Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. The Maplewood-based company has a corporate office in Moscow and two production plants in the country. 3M’s announcement comes as companies across a variety of industries have suspended some or all of their Russian operations…

Man Who Received 1st Pig Heart Transplant Dies After 2 Months

(University of Maryland School of Medicine via AP) (AP) – The first person to receive a heart transplant from a pig has died, two months after the groundbreaking experiment, the Maryland hospital that performed the surgery announced Wednesday. David Bennett, 57, died Tuesday at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Doctors didn’t give an exact cause of death, saying only…

Former Esmund Building Leveled To Dirt, Ready For Housing, Retail Development

DULUTH, Minn. – The Esmond Building in Lincoln Park began getting demolished just under a month ago, and now there’s no sight of the structure – just dirt. The flattened lot now makes room for a new multi-story housing unit to be constructed. DLH Clothing, which is located across from the now-vacant lot, moved from downtown Duluth to Lincoln Park…

SkyView Domecar Rehabilitation Project Underway

DULUTH, Minn.-The Northshore Scenic Railroad’s newest train car is getting some major repairs. The SkyView Domecar was bought by the railroad last year and still needs a lot of work to make its first-class space an elegant experience for passengers. The Domecar features seating upstairs in what the railroad likes to call the “treetop level.” On the first level, the…

‘Superior Roux’ Joins ‘Venue in the Park’

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Venue in the Park, a new venture in Superior, is opening its doors for small businesses in the area. The building previously known as the Billings Park Café was purchased by the Sutherland family in an effort to resurrect it as a commercial kitchen rental and event space. Superior Roux, a new pop-up, will be the first restaurant…

Republican Candidate Wants ‘New Voice’ For MN House Dist. 3B

A Republican is stepping up with the hope to take longtime Minnesota Rep. Mary Murphy’s DFL seat. Natalie Zeleznikar, a 30-year resident of Northeast Minnesota announced Wednesday she is entering the race for Minnesota House Dist. 3B. Zeleznikar is a mother of two adult sons, an accomplished author, and has spent decades as an executive for assisted living facilities. “I…

Cause Of Superior Warehouse Fire Ruled ‘Undetermined’

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior Fire Department has ended its investigation without a cause of a massive January warehouse fire that took down two historic buildings on the city’s North End near the Blatnik Bridge. Camron Vollbrecht, battalion chief for the Superior Fire Department, said investigators were able to determine the fire appears to have started in the northern half…

Duluth Grill Back in Full Swing After Recent Renovation

DULUTH, MN – After undergoing a brief renovation at the end of January, Duluth Grill was able to get back up and running without a hitch despite various supply chain issues other establishments may have faced.  This is due to their utilization of a variety of local farms to continue to provide them with ingredients such as eggs, meat, and…

As COVID Cases Drop in Douglas County, Health Officials Adjust Messaging

SUPERIOR, Wis. – After seeing a surge in COVID cases in January, Douglas County say they have dropped to levels not seen since last summer.  That is allowing health officials to change their focus on how they respond to new cases, as well as their messaging to slow its spread. “We’re seeing definitely a decline in cases overall, which has been…

Winter Weather Doesn’t Slow Work at Marina

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The ice on area lakes, rivers, and streams have kept boats off the water the past several months.  That doesn’t means companies that help keep boats in top shape have been enjoying an off season. Barker’s Island Marina says this winter has been their busiest on record, having their largest staff ever to help repair and touch up…

Viking Mississippi Cruise Ship Touches Water for First Time

HOUMA, La. (AP) – A Swiss company’s cruises along the length of the Mississippi River are a step closer to reality – its new 386-passenger ship has touched water for the first time. Viking River Cruises of Basel celebrated the “float out” of the Viking Mississippi on Monday at Edison Chouest Offshore’s LaShip shipyard in Houma, Louisiana. Two U.S. companies…

Midday Update 3-9-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Natalie Noury and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, News Update, Wisconsin Tags: Ken Slama, midday update, Natalie Noury, News, news update, weather

Lawyer: Man Charged in Whitmer Plot Swayed by FBI Informant

(Michigan Office of the Governor via AP File) GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) – A lawyer for one of the men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 has told jurors he was a near-homeless, pot-smoking “misfit” who was influenced by an FBI informant whom he met at a protest. Defense attorney Christopher Gibbons on Wednesday refuted…

Morning Update 3-9-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Natalie Noury and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, News Update, Weather in the News, Wisconsin Tags: Ken Slama, midday update, Natalie Noury, News, news update, weather

Duluth City Councilor Arik Forsman, Breanna Ellison Announce Run for Minnesota House

DULUTH, Minn. – On Wednesday, Duluth City Councilor Arik Forsman and Duluth resident Breanna Ellison announced their run for the Minnesota House of Representatives. Both candidates are running for the seat currently held by District 7A Rep. Jennifer Schult, DFL. Due to redistricting in the state, the seat will now be District 8B. “Serving the people of Duluth on the…

‘Tacos Tacos Tacos’ Lands New Location In Downtown Duluth For Better Mexican Vibe

Owner Robert Giuliani recently spent three months in Mexico to visit family and explore all types of Mexican dishes to improve the menu in the new Duluth location.

DULUTH, Minn. – The owner behind Duluth’s Tacos Tacos Tacos is preparing to reopen in a new location in downtown Duluth’s Historic Arts and Theatre District as the business model begins to expand into the Twin Cities. Tacos Tacos Tacos will open in the former T-Icy Roll location later this year Robert Giuliani has secured the new location in the…

KornerStore Owner, Former Duluth City Councilor Purchases 7 Northland Minit Marts

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Duluth City Councilor Derek Medved, who owns the KornerStore gas stations in the Northland, says gas prices have been changing by the hour.  And it comes as he recently purchased multiple Minit Marts in the area. KornerStore in Gary Medved is a bit frustrated with rising gas prices, but in a different way than consumers. He…

Dist. 709 Supt. Talks Central H.S. Property Sale Falling Through

DULUTH, Minn.- On Tuesday, we heard from the Duluth Schools Superintendent John Magas after the sale of Central High School fell through. This past summer, a developer called Saturday Properties from St. Louis Park in Minnesota intended to buy the property for $7.4 million. The company planned to create 400 units of townhomes and apartments from the property, which overlooks…

UWS Hosts International Women’s Day Event

SUPERIOR, Wis.- UWS hosted an event on Tuesday to celebrate accomplishments made by women through social, economic, cultural, and political efforts. There were also tables set up for people to stop by and learn about issues that women still face today, along with a speech delivered by the NAACP Duluth chapter president. One of the organizers talked about what the…

Bent Paddle Celebrates International Women’s Day

DULUTH, Minn.-Tuesday was international women’s day, which recognizes the many achievements of women around the world, and some local businesses got in on the celebration. Breweries are one industry that can typically be male-dominated, but the ownership at Bent Paddle in Lincoln Park is split between a woman and a man. They recognized this day with trivia related to women’s…

Harbor Rail Pub Ready to Serve the Two Harbors Community

TWO HARBORS, MN – Harbor Rail Pub has opened its doors in Two Harbors after the 1st Avenue building was purchased in June of 2020.  After being the home to many pubs over the years, the new owner originally purchased the building with the intent of remodeling the upstairs into a 3 bedroom loft and having the downstairs area be…

North Star Academy Shows Ukraine Support Through Anthem

DULUTH, Minn. – Students at North Star Academy showed their support for Ukraine this morning through a performance of the country’s national anthem. Members of the combined eighth grade band, choir, and North Star Singers started learning the music and words last Thursday.  It is part of the school’s overall approach to teach students about what is happening in Eastern Europe….

Cloquet Police Identify Victim in ‘Suspicious’ Death

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Cloquet Police Department has identified the possible victim of a suspicious death. On Tuesday, authorities in Cloquet confirmed 33-year-old Amanda Cadotte as the victim found dead last Thursday. The Cloquet Police Department, Fond du Lac Police Department, and Cloquet Fire District responded to a medical call on Thursday around 7:24 a.m. at 956 Trettel Lane. When…

‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Passes in Florida, Goes to Governor

(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Florida lawmakers have passed a bill to forbid instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. The proposal, which opponents have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, now moves to the desk of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it into law. Since its inception, the…

AP Source: Biden to Ban Russian Oil Imports Over Ukraine War

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden has decided to ban Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia’s economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine, according to a person familiar with the matter. The move follows pleas by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to U.S. and Western officials to cut off the imports. Energy exports have kept a steady influx…

Minneapolis Teachers Strike After Failing To Reach Contract

(Hannah Hobus/Pioneer Press via AP) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Teachers in the Minneapolis School District have gone on strike after failing to reach an agreement on a new contract. Tuesday’s move idles some 29,000 students in one of Minnesota’s largest school districts. Meanwhile, the teachers in neighboring St. Paul reached a deal late Monday to avert their own strike….