News

Judy Garland Museum Gets Big Financial Boost From John Oliver

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.-The Judy Garland Museum recently received a big financial boost from an unlikely source. Comedian and HBO host John Oliver opened up applications to museums to apply to get a $10,000 donation. The museum, which is dedicated to the famed hometown actress, was eventually chosen to the surprise of staff. “The other locations that were chosen are small…

UWS Hosts Welcome Back Concert, Bayside Sounds with GB Leighton

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– UWS put on a welcome concert outside of the Yellowjacket Union with “Bayside Sounds” featuring GB Leighton. GB Leighton is an American artist and rock band, and listed among Billboard.com’s Top 10 Artists to Watch. Close to 250 students and people in the neighborhood showed up for the concert, along with food trucks and an inflatable obstacle course….

Experts Give Tour of Greenwood Fire Damage

Another concern in areas heavily burned in the Superior National Forest is a lot of exposed tree roots.

ISABELLA, Minn. — Progress is being made outside of Isabella where the Greenwood Fire is nearly 50% contained with minimal open flames. “There’s a wet layer about an inch and a half deep, but below that everything is dry,” Greenwood Fire Behavioral Analyst Trainee, Patrick Johnson says. In that dry layer, the fire is smoldering and waiting for conditions to…

Bus Driver Shortage in the Northland

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- Similar to several other businesses, school transportation services are facing an employee shortage. Northland schools are back in session, and more bus drivers are needed, especially in the Hermantown School District. The Hermantown school district usually has 19 bus drivers, including substitute drivers, but they now only have 13 drivers. “I think the hard part is there’s training…

Students Help Hermantown High School Teacher with Fundraiser

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- A Hermantown High School science teacher was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer this past July. Students and teachers, including his son, are coming together to raise money for the teacher’s family. Tony Dobinson is a 9th-grade chemistry teacher who could not return to Hermantown High School this fall after being diagnosed with cancer in his liver and…

Duluth Police Seeking Public’s Help in Locating Missing Person

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing woman. According to police, 34-year-old Raechelle Monique Long Elk was last seen in the Duluth area on Friday, September 3, 2021. Long Elk is described as a 5’1”, 130 pound Native American/Hispanic woman. Authorities say The family is concerned about her well-being as…

City of Duluth to Host 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth will host a closed indoor Remembrance Ceremony this Saturday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Members of the Duluth Police and Fire Departments will join Mayor Emily Larson, Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj, and Police Chief Mike Tusken for the ceremony at the Duluth Entertainment & Convention Center’s Ice Cube…

Cloquet to Implement Water Restrictions Starting Friday

CLOQUET, Minn. – Councilors in Cloquet passed a resolution Tuesday to restrict non-essential water usage in the city due to ongoing drought conditions. With 78 percent of Minnesota now experiencing at least severe drought, the Minnesota DNR has determined that the state is now in the drought warning phase of the State Drought Plan. To help conserve and protect local…

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Returns to New York City Streets

(AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez, file) NEW YORK (AP) – The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will return to New York City’s streets this year with COVID-19 protocols including a vaccination requirement for parade volunteers. Macy’s says the Nov. 25 parade will be broadcast on NBC and will feature the traditional giant balloons, celebrity performers, clowns, and marching bands. Macy’s presented a…

Midday Update 9-8-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, September 8, 2021

FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama share an update on news and weather making headlines Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Spirit of the North Theater Presents Performances of “On Golden Pond”

The Performance is Being Organized by Boat Club Productions

DULUTH, Minn. – The Spirit of the North Theater inside the Fitger’s complex in Duluth is proud to be hosting performances of “On Golden Pond.” Organized by Boat Club Productions, the production takes center stage starting Friday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Showtimes:  Saturday, Sept. 11 – 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12 – 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17 – 7…

Report: COVID-19 Pandemic Driving Alcohol Sales in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A new report suggests people are buying dramatically more alcohol as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on. Revenue from state excise taxes on alcohol during the fiscal year that ended June 30 totaled $73.8 million, up almost 17% from $63.3 million the previous year, according to preliminary data from the state Department of Revenue cited in the…

Morning Update 9-8-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, September 8, 2021

FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama share an update on news and weather making headlines Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, duluth, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, Tourism, weather

Superior Council Delays Vote on Future Handling of Tourism Tax Revenue

Paine is calling for the creation of a tourism commission made up of six members to delegate the money as they see fit as long as it falls within state statutes.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- At Tuesday night’s council meeting, Superior Mayor Jim Paine’s proposal to create a tourism commission to handle how the city spends its tourism tax revenue — a role currently held by Travel Superior — was referred to a special Committee of the Whole Meeting for more discussion. The decision was made after more than an hour of public…

Contstruction Continues at Glensheen Mansion Grounds

Construction on the projects should wrap up next summer.

DULUTH, Minn. —  Construction is underway at the Glensheen Mansion to restore the formal garden on the grounds. The $4 million project also includes the installation of a backup boiler installed in the house. ” is critically important for the infrastructure of the house itself,” said Lynne Williams, UMD’s marketing and public relations director. The goal is to help preserve…

Duluth ISD 709 Elementary Students Start School Year In-Person with Smiles, Masks on Faces

Face coverings are required in school and on the bus at Homecroft.

DULUTH, Minn.- The energy was high among the 1st through 5th graders after the first full day back at Homecroft Elementary, just one of many schools in the Northland opening up for the school year. “You can see it in their eyes even though we’ve got masks on most of the time that smile is there, the laughter is there,”…

Grand Rapids Police Help Get Buck Unstuck from Hammock

One of the officers nearly took a hit from a hoof before the deer's hind legs also got tangled, making it easier for them to cut it free and get that buck, unstuck.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Hammocks can be tricky for some humans, but two Grand Rapids Police officers last week had to help out a deer tangled in one. In a video posted by the Grand Rapids Police Department, the two officers got a blanket normally used for accidents and medical calls and tried to calm the deer down, but he wasn’t…

DECC Parking to Double to $10 to Help Offset Maintenance Costs

DECC officials say it will help pay for on-going maintenance needs on the lots and ramps of the parking structure.

DULUTH, Minn.- Starting Tuesday, anyone parking at the DECC will have to pay double, as the rate will increase for the first time in 13 years. Parking at the DECC will now cost $10, up from $5 previously. The rate will also be $10 at Marcus Cinema, though you will still get reimbursed once you buy a movie ticket. DECC…

Proctor Rails Back With In-Person Classes

Even though all school facilities have a mask requirement, students and faculty don't seem to mind.

PROCTOR, Minn.– School is back on track in Proctor where the Rails came back to in-person learning full time. “Kids settle back into some of the routines they had before COVID and shut down. It’s been so nice to have the kids back and seeing their faces again. The excitement around the school is outstanding,” Proctor High School Principal, Tim…

2021 Summer: One of The Deadliest on MN Roads

Minnesota’s Office of Traffic Safety says there's been an uptick in impaired driving.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Labor Day weekend was another fatal one on Minnesota roads making this summer one of the deadliest. A total of four fatalities were recorded over the busy Labor Day holiday, increasing Minnesota’s death toll so far this year to 315. That’s 65 fatalities ahead of last year. Authorities say slowing down and finding a safe ride…

College of St. Scholastica Kicks off First Day of Classes

DULUTH, Minn.- The College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth is back in session, bringing students on campus for their first day of classes. The college welcomed its first-year students with an in-person ceremony as a rite of passage to ring in its 110th year. School faculty and Saints Heritage Club alumni attended the ceremony. “Just meeting new people and experiencing…

Farmer Doug’s is Ready for Pumpkin Picking

DULUTH, Minn.- Pumpkin season is here, and Farmer Doug’s pumpkin patch in Duluth is ready for this weekend’s pumpkin picking. The family-owned and operated farm is famous for its fall and winter festivities. Farmer Doug has provided Christmas trees, fresh maple syrup, and pumpkins to Northanders for more than 35 years. “The cooler weather comes with fall, and people are…

Two Injured in Cass County ATV Crash

CASS COUNTY, Minn. – Two people suffered serious injuries following an ATV crash in Cass County Sunday evening. According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of an ATV crash in rural Bena and south of Lake Winnibigoshish in the Chippewa National Forest around 5:43 p.m. When deputies arrived at the scene of the crash they…

DECC Raising Parking Prices Effective Tomorrow

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center is raising its parking fee to $10 effective Wednesday, September 8. The current $5 parking fee will remain in place for some events including UMD Bulldog hockey season ticket holders and those attending the Duluth Home Show and the Duluth Fall Wedding Show, says DECC Director of Communications, Lucie Amundsen. This is…

Hurricane Ida Power Outages, Misery Persist 9 Days Later

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – More than 400,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana still don’t have power nine days after Hurricane Ida. The state Public Service Commission said Tuesday that 98% of utility customers in the four hardest-hit parishes remain without electricity. In contrast, nearly all power has been restored in the capital city of Baton Rouge, and 73% of homes…

St. Louis County Board Recommends Kim Maki as County Attorney

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Board has given preliminary approval to appoint Kim Maki as St. Louis County Attorney. Current County Attorney Mark Rubin announced his retirement effective September 30 last month. Maki’s appointment would be for the remainder of Rubin’s term, which runs through the end of 2022. Maki, an Iron Range native, has worked in the…

Judge Tosses Death Sentence in Dru Sjodin Slaying

(AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt File) FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A federal judge has thrown out the death sentence for a man convicted in the 2003 slaying of a North Dakota college student. Judge Ralph Erickson ruled Friday that misleading testimony from a medical examiner and limitations on mental health evidence violated Alfonso Rodriguez Jr.’s constitutional rights. He ordered a new sentencing…

Midday Update 9-7-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: back-to-school, Brett Scott, community, Hand Washing, Headlines, health, Ken Slama, Local News, News, weather

One Dead in Sawyer County Single Vehicle Crash

SAWYER COUNTY, Wis. – One person is dead following a single-vehicle crash in Sawyer County early Sunday morning. According to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of a crash on County Highway NN in the Town of Couderay around 2:26 a.m. Sunday. Upon arrival at the scene, authorities located a black 2000 Dodge Dakota pickup truck in…

Morning Update 9-7-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Greenwood Fire Update, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Greenwood Fire 49% Contained as Gov. Walz, Senators Get Up-Close Look at Damage

The state officials said Monday, it was eye-opening to see the extent of the damage, and the work the firefighters have achieved thus far.

DULUTH, Minn. – Fire crews report the Greenwood fire is almost half contained. The more than 26,000-acre blaze drew the attention of Governor Tim Walz and Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar Monday. “I think being on the ground it’s always helpful for me to see it. And just to see what these folks have been going through like you…

UMD Outdoor Adventure Sampler Gives Taste of Northland Activities

Hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, slacklining, and more are all available to students and community members who maybe want to satisfy their hunger for adventure.

DULUTH, Minn.- As the school year gets underway at UMD, students who may be new to the area got a taste of all the outdoor activities the northland offers through the university. The Outdoor Adventure Sampler allowed people to try out all the activities offered through the Recreational Sports Outdoor Program. Hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, slacklining, and more are all…

Car Show Cruises Through Cloquet Labor Day Celebrations

The annual car show at Northeastern Hotel and Saloon featured more than a hundred different hot rods, trucks, and more.

CLOQUET, Minn.- After watching the Labor Day parade go by in Cloquet, why not cruise through some custom cars? The annual car show at Northeastern Hotel and Saloon featured more than a hundred different hot rods, trucks, and more. Awards were also given out with two top spots: the People’s Choice voted for by all spectators, and the Best of…

Teamwork Takes Center Stage During Recent Youth in Action Retreat

The Retreat Took Place at Camp Esquagama in Gilbert, Minnesota

GILBERT, Minn. – The saying goes, teamwork makes the dream work. During a recent Youth in Action retreat on the Iron Range, over 30 students from St. Louis County connected, in person, to help each other build and grow as good stewards of the community. “I was a little bit nervous coming in actually,” said Lauryn Biondi, a junior at…

Fitger’s Complex Shuts Down Sunday Due To Natural Gas Issue

DULUTH, Minn. — A natural gas issue forced the entire Fitger’s Complex to shut down on Sunday evening, cutting the night short for local businesses inside. That’s according to a Facebook post from the Boat Club Restaurant And Bar. The restaurant said it would reschedule Sunday reservations by calling customers individually. It’s unclear when the building will reopen. Categories: Business,…

UPDATE: Greenwood Fire 49% Contained as of Monday Night

NEAR ISABELLA, Minn.- Fire crews in the Superior National Forest report the Greenwood wildfire is 49% contained as of late Monday night. The news happening the same day Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar toured the site of the Greenwood fire and saw the damage it has caused firsthand. Also on Monday, the Lake…

Gordy’s Wrapping Up 61st Season

The popular northland restaurant is celebrating its 61st year in business bringing people from all over the area to grab some of their famous food.

CLOQUET, Minn. — Gordy’s Hi-Hat in Cloquet is wrapping up its summer season. The popular northland restaurant is celebrating its 61st year in business bringing people from all over the area to grab some of their famous food. One Minnesotan we caught up with has even made it an annual tradition every summer to travel up to Cloquet. “It’s awesome….

Duluth Central Labor Body Celebrates Annual Holiday

The Duluth Central Labor body held their annual picnic cooking hundreds of hot dogs and corn on the cob.

DULUTH, Minn. —  The Duluth Central Labor body held their annual picnic cooking hundreds of hot dogs and corn on the cob. “We normally have a children’s area. But this year due to the fact that twelve and under can’t get vaccinated as a committee we decided to cancel that. But we are happy to be here,” Duluth Central Labor…

Duluth Police Department Plan Extra Patrols in School Zones

Drivers who speed in school zones can face gross misdemeanor charges and double the number of fines.

DULUTH, Minn. — Districts around the Northland will be heading back to school on Tuesday and the police department will have extra enforcement out and about making sure students get there safely. As students walk to bus stops and to school, the Duluth Police Department wants to remind drivers to simply pay attention. Drivers who speed in school zones can…