News

Hibbing School Unveils New Playground

The playground will be open to the public after school hours. 

HIBBING, Minn. — Hibbing community members came together today to celebrate a new inclusive playground at the Greenhaven Elementary School. The K through second grade classes hosted the grand opening of their new playground on Thursday made possible by fundraising through the school’s non-profit parent teacher organization. Students got to test out the new equipment replacing the old playground built…

Protest Against Vaccine Requirement Held in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.-As more and more organizations are requiring their employees to get vaccinated, including at local hospitals, there has been some pushback in the Northland. Earlier today a group of locals were gathered at the corner of Lake Avenue and Superior Street to protest the idea of being forced to be vaccinated. One person we spoke to says, she hopes…

Law Enforcement Paws Take to the Field for Operation K-9

The dogs showed off what they would do in the field like finding explosives, searching a vehicle for drugs, and taking down suspects.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The community was able to get a front-row seat to the amazing talents and skills of the Northland’s top dogs, who showed how they help serve and protect at this year’s Operation K-9 at UWS. 14 K-9s and their handlers from St. Louis and Douglas County Sheriff’s Offices and the Duluth, Superior, and Hermantown Police Departments took part…

Lake Superior Community Health Center Celebrates Health Center Week with Block Party

The block party also offered free COVID vaccines and health screenings at its Denfeld location in Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s National Health Center Week, and the Lake Superior Community Health Center partied outside to celebrate. Along with free produce from Second Harvest Food Bank, games, and music, the block party also offered free COVID vaccines and health screenings at its Denfeld location in Duluth. Organizers say after a difficult pandemic, they hope to offer a safe space…

UWS to Start School Year Masked Up as COVID Concerns Grow Again

72 Wisconsin counties are now experiencing high or very high disease activity, and the 7-day-average of new cases increased 40 percent in the past week.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- As stronger efforts continue nationwide to combat the spread of the Delta Variant and fight low vaccination rates, the University Of Wisconsin-Superior is joining the growing list of Northland colleges requiring people to mask up again. “And hopefully these masking requirements can help safeguard and ensure that we can have a vibrant campus this fall,” said Jordan Milan,…

Britney Spears’ Father to Step Down From Conservatorship

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Several reports say Britney Spears’ father has agreed to step down from the conservatorship that has controlled her life and money for 13 years. Outlets including celebrity website TMZ and CNN reported that James Spears filed legal documents saying that while there are no grounds for his removal, he will step down. The decision comes after…

UW Health to Study COVID Vaccine Effects in Children

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – UW Health will participate in a study of the effects of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in young children. The Wisconsin State Journal reports UW Health’s American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison will be one of about 100 sites involved in the study. The project aims to enroll about 12,000 children under age 12. The Madison hospital hopes…

Black Water Lounge to Reopen in Early 2022

(courtesy: Facebook/Black Water Lounge) DULUTH, Minn. – Black Water Lounge will be reopening in early 2022. The restaurant and bar made the announcement of their reopening in a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon. Black Water announced in 2018 that it would be temporarily closing effective January 1, 2019, during the completion of the Superior Street reconstruction project. During the temporary…

Suspects in East Hillside Shooting Formally Charged

DULUTH, Minn. – The suspects arrested in Tuesday’s East Hillside drive-by shooting have now been formally charged. According to court records, the alleged shooter, 21-year-old Kewon Dunn, has been charged with second-degree attempted murder, drive-by shooting, and felon convicted crime of violence-firearm violation. The driver of the vehicle, 25-year-old Brianna Clark-Johnson has also been charged with aiding an offender. According…

Midday Update 8-12-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, August 12, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Chief Meteorologist Sam Gabrielli for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, August 12, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, Sam Gabrielli, weather

Minnesota Hits 70% Mark for 1st Vaccinations for 16 and up

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota has reached the milestone of vaccinating 70% of its population age 16 and older with at least one dose against GOVID-19. Gov. Tim Walz credits a recent rise in vaccination rates amid concerns over the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus and the state’s $100 rewards for people who get their first shot…

Two Harbors Art Fair Celebrates 27th Year as a Summer Tradition

Two Harbors Art Fair is Happening August 13 - 15, 2021

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – The Two Harbors Art Fair, also known as Under the Spreading Walnut Tree Art Fair, is taking place Friday, August 13 through Sunday, August 15. This year, organizers are celebrating their 27th year as a summer tradition in the community located along the North Shore of Lake Superior. The fair features works of art including jewelry,…

UW-Superior to Require Masks for All Students, Employees

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin Superior announced Thursday that it will require all students and staff to wear a face mask in all indoor spaces and facilities, regardless of vaccination status, beginning Monday, August 16. “We are striving to do everything within our power to deliver a top-quality educational experience while continuing to help slow or stop the…

Morning Update 8-12-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, August 12, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Chief Meteorologist Sam Gabrielli for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, August 12, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, Sam Gabrielli, weather

HHS Joins Vaccine Trend, Orders Shots for Its Health Workers

WASHINGTON (AP) – The federal Department of Health and Human Services is requiring employees who provide care for patients to get their COVID-19 shots. Thursday’s order from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra will affect more than 25,000 clinicians, researchers, contractors, trainees, and volunteers with the National Institutes of Health, the Indian Health Service, and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps….

Critics Grow Louder Over Mayor Larson’s Plan To Outsource Duluth’s Tourism Marketing; Councilors Weigh In

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth city councilors are getting an earful and raising questions — one day after Mayor Emily Larson boldly announced plans to pass up longtime Visit Duluth for the city’s next tourism marketing contract worth nearly $2 million and instead choose Minneapolis-based Bellmont Partners and its partner, Lawrence & Schiller. Mayor Larson told FOX 21 she stands by…

32nd Annual Blues Fest Returns to Bayfront

DULUTH, Minn.– The 32nd Annual Blues fest preparations are underway at Bayfront Festival Park and they are adding a few new elements to the 3 day celebration that is expected to bring in close to 20,000 people. After being cancelled last year because of the pandemic the return of this music festival to the water font is largely anticipated through…

Municipal Primary Election Update

DULUTH, Minn. — The Municipal Primary Election took place yesterday for two at-large city council seats along with City Council District 2 and District 4 seats as well. At 8:00 pm Wednesday night the votes were in sending 8 candidates to the Novembers ballots. There was a 12.4%  total voter turnout, which was around the expected amount but still way…

Bayfield Seeing Successful Summer Tourism Season

Apple Fest will take place the first weekend of October.

BAYFIELD, Wisc. —  Tourism in Bayfield has been up this summer. Hotels are being completely booked and businesses are seeing peak Apple Fest numbers. The weekly foot traffic throughout the summer has been due to events being back in session like the Point to LaPointe swim and weekly concerts by the lake held every Tuesday. This most recent concert was…

‘Bury The Board’ Fundraiser Aims to Help GND Rec Center Build Skatepark

The skatepark still needs an additional $600,000  to be completed.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Gary New Duluth Rec Center has a new fundraiser to help them build their new skatepark. It’s called ‘Bury the Board’ and it is being featured at the Damage Boardshop in Lincoln Park. The shop started it up just last week with the hope to continually raise enough funds to bury the skateboard with cash… moving…

Lake Superior Water Levels Remain Below Record Levels

The Corps does not expect water levels to go up the rest of the month.

DULUTH, Minn. — New data by the Army Corps of Engineers show that Lake Superior’s water level has fallen again after hitting a record high two years ago. This is due in part to the lack of rain this summer. While other Great Lakes have experienced a rise in their levels, Lake Superior is still twelve inches below its highest…

St. Louis County Public Health Brings COVID Vaccine Clinics to College Campuses

DULUTH, Minn.- The college of St. Scholastica in Duluth and St. Louis County Public health is teaming up to make getting the COVID vaccine more convenient with on-campus vaccine clinics. “So we really want to be able to provide vaccines right where they are at,” said Public Health Nurse Emily Lian. “That’s kinda been public health’s perspective on vaccines in…

Gov. Walz Announces Vaccination Requirements for State Agency Employees

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced today that state agency employees will be required to show proof of vaccination or participate in regular testing before returning to the workplace. Employees working in person will be required to show proof of vaccination and attest to their vaccination status by Wednesday, Sept. 8. Employees who are not vaccinated will be required…

Anonymous Jury Ordered for Ex-Cop in Daunte Wright’s Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)-A judge has ordered that the jury in the trial of a former suburban Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of Daunte Wright will remain anonymous. Former Brooklyn Center Officer Kim Potter, who is white, fatally shot Wright, a 20-year-old Black motorist, in April. She’s scheduled to stand trial in November on a manslaughter charge. Judge Regina Chu…

UPDATE: Child Dies After Being Locked in Car in Hibbing, Twin Brother Released From Hospital

UPDATE: The Hibbing Police Department has now been informed that one of the twin boys has passed away while receiving medical care at a children’s hospital in Minneapolis. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office will be performing an autopsy on the boy. The other juvenile male was released from St. Mary’s in Duluth. Police added that possible charges on the…

Midday Update 8-11-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Chief Meteorologist Sam Gabrielli for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, August 11, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, Sam Gabrielli, weather

Morning Update 8-11-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Chief Meteorologist Sam Gabrielli for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, August 11, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, Sam Gabrielli, weather

Wisconsin to Set Fall Wolf Limit After Runaway Spring Hunt

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wildlife officials in Wisconsin are set to consider adopting a 130-animal limit for this fall’s wolf hunt. The Department of Natural Resources’ vote Wednesday in Milwaukee figures to be contentious after conservationists complained hunters killed far too many wolves during a rushed spring season in February. The Trump administration removed wolves from the endangered species list…

More Closures Beginning Wednesday on Twin Ports Interchange

Motorists are encouraged to check www.511mn.org before traveling for information on road conditions, closures and detour routes.

DULUTH, Minn. — Motorists traveling in and around the Twin Ports Interchange will encounter new closures and detours beginning Wednesday. Southbound Highway 53 to southbound I-535 will close. Detours will follow southbound Highway 53 to 21st Avenue West, to 1st Street, to lower Piedmont, to Garfield Avenue, and onto southbound I-535. In addition, southbound 53 to northbound I-35 will also…

One-On-One: Mayor Larson Explains Choosing Minneapolis Agency Over ‘Visit Duluth’ For Tourism Marketing

Visit Duluth is being offered a significantly smaller second contract for "convention and visitor center operations."

DULUTH, Minn. – After 85 years as Duluth’s main tourism marketing arm, Visit Duluth will no longer have that title come 2022 — pending council’s approval — as Mayor Emily Larson continues to scrutinize how millions of dollars in tourism tax revenue is handed out every year. Larson made the big announcement Tuesday by saying her team has chosen Minneapolis-based…

Great Outdoors: Youth Get Their Sea Legs At DSSA Sailing Camp

The DSSA'S Sailing Camp is helping a group of kids between 7 and 16 years old get the nautical knowledge they need.

DULUTH, Minn.- The second half of summer in the northland brings the sailboats out onto lake superior. but all those experienced sailors had to start somewhere, like the Duluth Superior Sailing Association’s (DSSA’S) Sailing Camp.  “Some of these kids, they get out here and they get to feel what water is like and what it’s like to be on a…

Operation K9 Competition Returns

SUPERIOR, Wis.– The 7th annual Operation K9 event is back in Superior this Thursday evening after it was canceled last year. You can watch and meet 14 different dogs and their handlers from five K9 units compete at the UWS field on the corner of Belknap Street and Mortorelli Drive. This event is hosted by the Northland K9 Foundation to…

Duluth Municipal Primary Voting Underway

Two at-large city council seats, second district and fourth district seats are up for grabs.

DULUTH, Minn. — Voting for Duluth’s primary is underway. Statistically, there’s usually a low voter turnout for Duluth’s municipal primaries. With the thick fog Tuesday morning people were coming out less frequently to the polls. Precinct judges anticipate more people would show up during the lunch and dinner hours. “Unfortunately, people don’t think that primaries are as important … but…

St. Luke’s Vaccine Clinic Open Multiple Days This Week

St. Luke's will also be providing shots for people on Sunday at Wade Stadium. 

DULUTH, Minn. — Vaccinations have been up in the Northland as of late and St. Luke’s is trying to get the word out for people twelve and up to get their shot. With the new guidelines for St. Luke’s and Essentia employees put in place requiring them to get vaccinated, St. Luke’s is opening up their clinic for a few…

Duluth Shooting Suspect Arrest After Police Standoff

DULUTH, Minn.- A man was shot around 8:30 am on 15th Avenue East near East Superior Street, putting him in the hospital with unknown injuries, and leaving one garage in the neighborhood with multiple bullet holes. According to the Duluth Police Department, multiple shots were fired in the drive-by shooting. The suspect was soon found nearby. “The suspect came into…

Larson Chooses Minneapolis Agency Over ‘Visit Duluth’ For City’s Main Marketing Contract

Visit Duluth is being offered a significantly smaller second contract for "convention and visitor center operations."

DULUTH, Minn. – After 85 years as Duluth’s main tourism marketing arm, Visit Duluth will no longer have that title come 2022, as Mayor Emily Larson continues to scrutinize how millions of dollars in tourism tax revenue is used every year. Mayor Larson made the announcement Tuesday saying her team has chosen Minneapolis-based Bellmont Partners and its partner, Lawrence &…

St. Louis County Requiring Face Masks Inside All County Buildings Beginning Wednesday

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. – Beginning Wednesday, St. Louis County will require face masks to be worn inside all county buildings. According to a Tuesday press release, this will apply to all employees and visitors regardless of vaccination status. “St. Louis County continues to experience substantial transmission of COVID-19. The CDC defines substantial transmission as 50 or more new cases…

Four Golfers Injured After Being Indirectly Struck by Lightning in Sawyer County

SAWYER COUNTY, Wis. – Four golfers were injured Tuesday morning after being indirectly struck by lightning at the Big Fish Golf Course in the Town of Hayward. According to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office, authorities received a report of multiple people being struck by lightning around 11:26 a.m. When deputies and first responders arrived at the scene they found four…

Minnesota Logs 5,600 Breakthrough COVID-19 Cases, 57 Deaths

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota has seen at least 5,599 breakthrough cases of COVID-19 and at least 57 deaths among fully vaccinated people, health officials reported Tuesday. The Minnesota Department of Health said it will begin reporting breakthrough case figures weekly as cases of the highly infectious delta variant surge across the state and country. But the department cautioned…