News

First Case of the Omicron Variant Identified in Wisconsin

The person with the Omicron variant is an adult male and is a Milwaukee County resident who recently returned from a trip to South Africa.

MADISON, Wis.- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has detected the state’s first case of the Omicron variant, in a resident with recent travel history to South Africa. According to the DHS, the person with the Omicron variant is an adult male and is a Milwaukee County resident who recently returned from a trip to South Africa. The person…

Michigan School Shooting Suspect’s Parents Found in Building; Bond Set at $500K Apiece

James and Jennifer Crumbley entered not guilty pleas to each of the four involuntary manslaughter counts against them.

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) – A judge has imposed a combined $1 million bond for the parents of the Michigan teen charged with killing four students at Oxford High School, hours after police said they were caught hiding in a commercial building. James and Jennifer Crumbley entered not guilty pleas to each of the four involuntary manslaughter counts against them during…

CNN Fires Chris Cuomo for Helping Brother Deal with Scandal

Cuomo issued a statement on Twitter calling the decision disappointing.

NEW YORK (AP) – CNN has fired anchor Chris Cuomo after details emerged about how he assisted his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as the politician faced sexual harassment allegations earlier this year. The network suspended Chris Cuomo earlier in the week to investigate his involvement with his brother’s defense. CNN hired a law firm for the review….

Departments of Transportation Gearing up for First Measurable Snowfall

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — The roads aren’t bad yet, but they might be this weekend, and the Lake County Highway Department has their plows ready to go as they await the first measurable snowfall this winter season. Preparations began months ago, but the snow hasn’t been as consistent this year making it hard to make an official plan but its…

Church Spreads Holiday Cheer to Community with Cookie Baking Day

Plates of cookies went to UMD and CSS college students, as well as shut-ins, group homes, and treatment homes.

DULUTH, Minn.- A group of women at a local church are spreading holiday cheer in their own sweet way — with some Christmas cookies. Lakeview Covenant Church on Jean Duluth Road hosted a cookie baking day Friday. Women brought their own ready-to-bake cookie dough and pans, or they could bake at home. Plates of cookies went to UMD and CSS…

Area Fire Departments Host Regional Testing

DULUTH, Minn. — For the first time, the Duluth fire department was among five fire departments participating in regional testing on Saturday for those wanting to become a firefighter. The Cloquet, Duluth, Hibbing, Virginia and Superior Fire Departments joined forces to hold the testing at the Lake Superior College Emergency Response Training Center in Gary New Duluth. The goal was…

Truckers for Tots Aims to Help Families for Christmas

DULUTH, Minn. — Some trucks unloaded more fun cargo for Northlanders on Friday. The Salvation Army once again partnered with Mid-State Truck services to bring Christmas cheer to families in need this holiday season. The Truckers for Tots campaign started over a decade ago in Wisconsin and came to Duluth just last year. Mid-State Truckers raised $55,000 total at all…

St. Scholastica Raising Funds for New Student Center

DULUTH, Minn. — The College of Saint Scholastica could soon get its first-ever brand new student center on campus. Administrators identified it as a need over a decade ago because there is currently no specific area designated for students to congregate. Although the current layout has worked for staff and students, back in 20-14 they started a silent campaign to…

Manhunt Underway for School Shooting Suspect Ethan Crumbley’s Parents After Charges Announced

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — Michigan authorities say they’re searching for two parents charged with involuntary manslaughter in a high school shooting. Jennifer and James Crumbley are the parents of Ethan Crumbley, who is charged with murder and terrorism in the deaths of four students at Oxford High School on Tuesday. Crumbley’s parents were charged Friday. A prosecutor says they gave…

Forest Service To Reduce Entry Permits for Boundary Waters

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service plans to reduce the number of entry permits for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness next year, citing damage to natural resources, crowding, and congestion. The Forest Service didn’t say how many permits would be eliminated, nor which entry points into the million-acre wilderness would be impacted. Superior National Forest spokeswoman Joanna…

Midday Update 12-3-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, December 3, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, November 3, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Suspect’s Parents Charged in Michigan School Shooting

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) – A prosecutor has filed involuntary manslaughter charges against the parents of a 15-year-old accused of killing four students and wounding seven other people at a Michigan high school. James and Jennifer Crumbley were charged Friday with four courts each. Authorities have said Ethan Crumbley opened fire shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday at Oxford High School, roughly…

Morning Update 12-3-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, December 3, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, November 3, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

US Employers Added a Sluggish 210,000 Jobs in November

WASHINGTON (AP) – America’s employers slowed the pace of their hiring in November, adding a still-solid 210,000 jobs, the fewest in nearly a year. Friday’s report from the Labor Department also showed that the unemployment rate fell sharply to 4.2% from 4.6%. That is a historically low level though still above the pre-pandemic jobless rate of 3.5%. Overall, the November…

City of Duluth Seeking Affordable Housing Development Proposals

Deadline to Apply is Jan. 30, 2022

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth is looking to fund up to four proposals from developers across the area to build affordable, multifamily, residential structures in Duluth that are in need of financial assistance. This past July, the city received federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act. From the $50 million received, $19.2 million has been set aside…

Omicron Variant Appears in Minnesota as Pandemic Continues Burdening Healthcare Systems

A man in Minnesota contracted the variant after attending an anime convention in New York in November.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Omicron variant was discovered in Minnesota Thursday, contracted by a man who attended an anime convention in New York City last month — casting a shadow of concern over the already overwhelmed healthcare systems everywhere, including the Twin Ports. “This will never end until we get 100%– until we get virtually everyone vaccinated,” said Dr. Jon Pryor,…

Duluth Cider Starts Weekly Holiday Market to Keep Shopping Local

Donations will also be accepted at the holiday markets for the Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center.

DULUTH, Minn.- Those looking to continue shopping local for the holidays have a new weekly option at Duluth Cider. The Cidery in the Lincoln Park neighborhood is hosting a holiday market every Thursday. Live music and about 6 to 10 local vendors showcasing their goods will be on-site each week. Organizers say they wanted to provide a central location where…

DTA Driver Charged In Death Of Pedestrian At Miller Hill Mall

Charge: Criminal Vehicular Homicide - Operate Motor Vehicle in Grossly Negligent Manner

DULUTH, Minn. – The DTA bus driver who hit and killed a man at the Miller Hill Mall in Sept. 10 is now charged with criminal vehicular homicide. According to the criminal complaint, Crystal Veronica Ball, 36, of Duluth was “grossly negligent” and “distracted” when she ran over David Weston, 64, just before 10 a.m. while going 6 mph during…

Superior Fire Department’s Toys for Tots Program Underway

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior Fire Department’s Toys for Tots campaign is in full swing. People can drop off new, unwrapped toys at their headquarters and over a dozen business locations through December 13th.  A complete list, as well as online wish lists for toys can be found here. “We will service whoever gets signed up,” says firefighter John Lundberg, a…

Lincoln Park Flats Now Leasing Apartment Units

DULUTH, Minn. — A new Duluth apartment complex called Lincoln Park Flats is scheduled to open this summer. “People have been excited about it. It’s not too often that we do have brand new housing coming into areas that are coming into areas that are so developed and in such as need,” P&R Companies Operations Manager, Megan Holsclaw says. With…

Wisconsin COVID Patients Packing Hospitals, No Omicron Yet

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Patients with COVID-19, most of them unvaccinated, are packing Wisconsin hospitals at levels not seen for a year, a worrying development even before the new omicron variant has been detected in the state. Amid concerns about the new and little-understood omicron variant, Wisconsin health officials on Thursday urged people to get vaccinated and take other steps…

New Record Raised During Guest Server Event

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A new record amount was raised when some of Superior and Douglas County’s top public safety officials were guest servers at The Kitchen Thursday. Police Chief Nicholas Alexander, Fire Chief Scott Gordon, Sheriff Thomas Dalbec, and District Attorney Mark Fruehauf spent the lunch rush taking orders, handing out prime rib meals, and refilling drinks as part of…

Duluth School District Proposes to Extend Upcoming Winter Break

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District says they are proposing to extend the upcoming Winter Break by two days to help with student and staff COVID safety as well as address staffing shortages. “With general staffing shortages, many unfilled positions, and a shortage of temporary help, every position in the district has been impacted. We need to ensure that…

Midday Update 12-2-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, December 2, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, December 2, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Ski, Snowboard, Then Enjoy a Little Mexican Flare from Riverside Bar & Grill

Cooking Connection: Chicken Street Tacos from Riverside Bar & Grill

DULUTH, Minn. – This week’s Cooking Connection takes Meteorologist Ken Slama to Spirit Mountain, home of the Riverside Bar and Grill. Their family-friendly menu offers a variety of food to help reenergize you before returning to the slopes this winter season. This week we tried their take on street tacos, which are chicken with a hint of curry along with…

Morning Update 12-2-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, December 2, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, December 2, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Omicron Variant Case Confirmed in Minnesota

UPDATE: NEW YORK (AP) — Just a day after the U.S. announced its first case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus had been detected in California, health officials announced Thursday it was found in a man who attended an anime convention in New York City in late November. The man tested positive after returning home to Minnesota, health officials…

9 of 14 Picked for Jury for Trial in Daunte Wright’s Death

(Court TV via AP, Pool) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Prosecutors and attorneys for the suburban Minneapolis police officer charged in Daunte Wright’s shooting death have seated nine of the 14 jurors needed for her trial, including a woman who said she owns a stun gun. Kim Potter, who is white, is charged with manslaughter in the April 11 shooting of Wright,…

Bluebird Foundation Celebrates Youth in Arts, Local Holiday Album Release

6 regional high school-aged students were awarded $5,000 in grants and scholarships for excelling in dance, music, theater, and new this year, the culinary arts.

DULUTH, Minn.- Local high schoolers in the performing arts were celebrated while rocking out to the newest local holiday hits at the Greysolon Ballroom in Downtown Duluth. At their Fall Scholarship Ceremony, the Bluebird Foundation premiered their annual “Christmas by the Lake” album, featuring music from 14 local performers. 6 regional high school-aged students were awarded $5,000 in grants and…

First Lutheran Church Holds Swedish Meatball Dinner

It was all about the Lutefisk’s side dishes of meatballs and lefse Wednesday night, held outside the church.

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s been more than a year since lutefisk has made its way to the gullets of the northland for the annual Lutefisk dinner, so First Lutheran Church honored it this year with the next best thing – Swedish meatballs and Lefse. It was all about the Lutefisk’s side dishes of meatballs and lefse Wednesday night, held outside the…

1 Injured In School Bus Crash In Grand Lake Township

Courtesy: St. Louis County Rescue Squad GRAND LAKE TOWNSHIP, Minn. – The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a school bus accident near Hermantown. The accident happened around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Highway 53 and Caribou Lake Road in Grand Lake Township. The incident report said the 62-year-old man driving the school bus failed to yield while crossing…

Superior’s Christkindlemarkt Back this Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — A holiday market will be taking place this weekend in Superior. The Thirsty Pagan will be hosting the 10th annual Christkindlmarkt. It is the first time they will be hosting the event. Attendees can expect several local vendors and events with german flare such as mulled wine and the Minnesota Krampus organization. Founders say, with the heavy…

Small Businesses Encouraging Shopping Local for the Holidays

According to stores in West Duluth, more people are shopping local and going more sustainable by thrifting and repurposing gifts.

DULUTH, Minn.- As the holiday shopping season gets in full swing, small businesses in the area are seeing more customers shop local for their Christmas gifts this year. It’s the busiest time of the year for retail businesses, kicking off with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday last week. “I really believe that people come here to just fine really…

Superior Unveils Plow Tracking Website

SUPERIOR, Wis. – With the Twin Ports waiting to see its first major snowstorm of the season, Superior is ready to show people which streets have been recently plowed and treated. Thanks to a partnership with Verizon Connect, GPS tracking devices have been added to their four sanders to show their current location and direction they are traveling.  It can be…

Area School Districts Facing Staffing Shortages

DULUTH, Minn. — As we approach the end of the 2021 school year area districts like Duluth and Hermantown are concerned about their substitute teacher staffing moving forward. Not only subs but bus drivers, paraprofessionals, custodians people behind the scenes who lift the educations system for the students. It all affects the district’s ability to keep students learning in person,…

Chester Bowl Preparing to Open for Winter Season

DULUTH, Minn. — Chester Bowl will start making snow soon. The ski hill hopes to start making snow this Friday with the goal of opening up by December 18th or earlier depending on the temperature. Chester bowl has also upgraded its upper lift house at the top of the hill and added a new electrical system. Staff are excited to…

Friends of Superior Public Library To Hold Christmas Book Sale

SUPERIOR, Wis – The Friends of the Superior Public Library are holding their annual Merry Little Christmas Book Sale this Friday and Saturday. Craig Scherf, a member of the group’s Executive Committee, says this is one of the main fundraisers during the year.  “This, unlike our fall sale, is items that we have selected throughout the course of the year that are…

Michigan Teen Charged in Oxford High School Shooting

(Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP) OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan teenager has been charged with murder, terrorism, and other charges for a shooting that killed four fellow students and injured others at Michigan’s Oxford High School. Charges against 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley were announced Wednesday, a few hours after authorities reported the death of a fourth teen from…

Scandinavian Christmas Village Returns to Knife River Dec. 4, 5

KNIFE RIVER, Minn. – You’ll be in for a great time on Dec. 4 and 5 in the community of Knife River located along Scenic Highway 61. The Knife River Recreational Council is hosting its annual Julebyen festival. It’s modeled after a centuries-old Scandinavian and German tradition celebrated with ethnic foods, crafts, holiday decorations, and music. Funds raised from the…

Us Official: 1st Case of Omicron Variant Identified in US

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (AP) — A person in California became the first in the U.S. to have an identified case of the omicron variant of COVID-19, a U.S. official told The Associated Press on Wednesday. It comes as scientists continue to study the risks posed by the new strain of the virus. The Biden administration moved late last month…

Fourth Student Dies From Michigan High School Shooting

(Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP) OXFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) – Authorities say a 17-year-old boy has become the fourth student to die from a school shooting in Michigan. The Oakland County sheriff’s office identified the teen Wednesday as Justin Shilling. The shooting occurred Tuesday at Oxford High School in Oakland County. The suspect remains in custody. Seven other people…

Midday Update 12-1-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, December 1, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Minnesota DOT Brings Back Popular “Name a Snowplow” Contest

(courtesy: Minnesota Department of Transportation) ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is bringing back its popular “Name a Snowplow” contest. After last year’s success, the MnDOT is inviting the public to help name another eight snowplows – one snowplow for each MnDOT district. MnDOT encourages the public to get creative and submit their most witty, unique, or…