News

Minnesota Weighs More Cameras in Courts After Chauvin Case

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota’s court system could allow expanded camera coverage of criminal proceedings following the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer in George Floyd’s death. Chief Justice Lorie Gildea says it’s time to consider amending the current rules to accommodate broader public access. Gildea’s order doesn’t specifically cite Derek Chauvin’s trial, which was Minnesota’s first criminal case in…

Increased Water Pumping Worries Line 3 Pipeline Opponents

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Opponents of Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 oil pipeline project are worried about the potential impact of the company’s plan to temporarily pump as much as 10 times more groundwater out of the construction area than once planned. Enbridge has encountered more groundwater than anticipated as it digs trenches for the replacement pipeline across northern Minnesota. Earlier…

Many Feared Dead After Florida Beachfront Condo Collapses

SURFSIDE, Fla. (AP) – Authorities say nearly 100 people are still unaccounted for after part of a 12-story beachfront condo building collapsed in a town outside Miami. The collapse in the community of Surfside killed at least one person and trapped others in rubble and twisted metal. Rescuers pulled dozens of survivors from the tower Thursday morning and continued to…

What to Know as Chauvin Sentenced in Floyd Death Friday

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin faces sentencing Friday in the death of George Floyd, with a judge weighing a prison term experts say could be as much as 30 years. Chauvin, 45, was convicted in April of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter for pressing his knee against Floyd’s neck for about 9 1/2…

‘We Have a Deal’: Biden Announces Infrastructure Agreement

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden has announced that “we have a deal” – a bipartisan agreement on a $953 billion infrastructure plan. The agreement, reached in a meeting Thursday at the White House, means a breakthrough after arduous negotiations on the president’s top legislative priority. Biden invited members of the bipartisan group to discuss the pared-down plan that has…

Midday Update 6-24-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, June 24, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, June 24, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

New York Court Suspends Rudy Giuliani’s Law License

NEW YORK (AP) – An appeals court has suspended Rudy Giuliani from practicing law in New York because he made false statements while trying to get courts to overturn Donald Trump’s loss in the presidential race. An attorney disciplinary committee said in its motion to suspend Giuliani’s license that there was “uncontroverted evidence” that Giuliani had made false statements to…

Report 751 Bodies Found at Indigenous School in Canada

REGINA, Saskatchewan (AP) – Leaders of Indigenous groups in Canada say investigators have found 751 unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school for Indigenous children in Saskatchewan. The discovery follows last month’s report of 215 at another school in British Columbia. Chief Cadmusn Delmore of the Cowessess First Nation made the announcement at a news conference Thursday….

Level 3 Predatory Offender Relocates to Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Authorities in Duluth say a level 3 predatory offender was released on Tuesday and has relocated to the Duluth region. According to police, Royce Drift, 34, has a history of physically assaulting and holding a known adult female against her will. Force and a weapon were used to gain compliance. He also had a juvenile history of…

Morning Update 6-24-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, June 24, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, June 24, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Biden Administration Extends Eviction Moratorium for 30 Days

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has extended the nationwide ban on evictions for 30 days to help tenants who are unable to make rent payments during the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, extended the evictions moratorium until July 31. It had been scheduled to end on June 30. The White…

Wing of Miami-Area Condo Collapses; at Least 1 Person Dead

(Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) SURFSIDE, Fla. (AP) – A wing of a 12-story beachfront condo building has collapsed in a town outside Miami, killing at least one person while trapping residents in rubble and twisted metal. Scores of rescuers pulled survivors from the debris Thursday as a cloud of dust floated through the neighborhood. Surfside Mayor Charles…

“H” Returns to Scoreboard at Wade Stadium

Wednesday morning, workers showed up to Wade Stadium to finally put the "H" back on the scoreboard.

DULUTH, Minn. – Last month during a Duluth Denfeld baseball practice, high winds blew off the “h” on the scoreboard at Wade Stadium. Duluth Huskies general manager Greg Culver was relieved to find out that no one was hurt. “So I came back to the ballpark to find the H propped up in the breezeway, notified the city on what…

The Hills’ Community Programs Now Closing Down Friday

DULUTH, Minn. – The Hills Youth and Family Services in Duluth is now closing down its community programs sooner than expected this Friday instead of July 2. This comes after the organization’s more than 100 years of mental health services to children and juveniles in the justice system. Last week, the president and CEO, Leslie Chaplin, explained that the pandemic,…

Public Meeting Held to Address Vandalisms in Gary-New Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.– Gary-New Duluth has experienced acts of vandalism over the past year, including on the construction of the area’s new rec center. Now the community and local law enforcement are coming together to address these issues in the area. “Some of them were pretty limited as far as attendance and stuff social distancing guidelines and stuff like that. But…

Local Union Offers Scholarships for More Diverse DFD

DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth Firefighter’s Union is offering a new way to help get more people involved in firefighting. The International Association of Firefighters Union Local 101 here in Duluth is offering up to four scholarships to get underrepresented groups involved in the fire department. The scholarship would cover state fire and hazmat certifications, along with the physical agility test….

STARBASE Instructor Flies with the Blue Angels

HERMANTOWN, Minn.– One lucky STARBASE instructor was nominated by members of the Duluth Airshow committee to fly with the Blue Angels today. The nomination was for a STEM educator who has made a positive impact on the community through their passion for educational outreach and today, she was so excited to put some science in motion. “The application of knowledge…

Renegade Theatre Programs Reopen to Public

The Zinema at Zeitgeist is currently open for community rentals. 

DULUTH, Minn. —  Programs at the Zeitgeist Renegade Theatre are now back open. The Renegade Improv group has been performing in the atrium for the past two weeks on Fridays and is working towards getting back into the theatre. Meanwhile the first Zeitgeist and Renegade produced musical will be back in the theater in August. The Zinema at Zeitgeist is…

Duluth Parks and Recreation Brings Back Their Senior Programs

DULUTH, Minn.- As COVID restrictions continue to loosen up many Senior Programs around the Northland are back. The Duluth Parks and Recreation Center is one of the places now staying busy. Duluth Parks and Recreation kicked off their Senior Programming with a summer celebration at Morgan Park Community Center. Seniors in the community reunited for snacks, drinks, and conversation. They…

Minnesota House Passes $7 Billion Transportation Budget Bill

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Another piece of Minnesota’s budget picture fell into place when the House passed a $7 billion transportation funding bill. The bill includes money for two new bus rapid transit lines for the Twin Cities. It preserves the Northstar commuter rail line. It includes money for a second daily Amtrak train between St. Paul and Chicago….

Britney Spears Asks Judge to Free Her From Conservatorship

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Britney Spears asked a judge Wednesday to end court conservatorship that has controlled her life and money since 2008. The dramatic request at a Los Angeles hearing came with her first words in open court in the conservatorship in its 13-year existence. Spears called the conservatorship “abusive,” and condemned her father and the others who have…

Midday Update 6-23-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Update: Duluth Police Asking for Public’s Help Identifying Suspect in Smoke Shop Robbery

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect from the Tuesday morning Sadi’s Smoke Shop robbery. Video surveillance from the smoke shop was recovered by investigators with the Duluth Police DepartmentsViolent Crimes Unit. According to police, officers responded to a hold-up alarm at the smoke shop located on the 1600 block…

American Red Cross Urges Animal Owners to Have Pet Preparedness Plan in Place

June is Pet Preparedness Month

DULUTH, Minn. – If a natural disaster were to occur, or a fire broke out in your home, would you have a plan of action? Toss the family pets into the mix, and things can get stressful during the most critical time of evacuation. That’s why the Northern Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross is urging pet owners to…

Morning Update 6-23-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Boys and Girls Club of the Northland Celebrates 50 Years

Organizers say what better way to celebrate 50 years in the Northland than by offering job resources and opportunities to the community they've been a part of all that time.

DULUTH, Minn.- This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Boys and Girls Club of the Northland, and it’s kicking off Boys and Girls Club Week with a career fair that was open to the public Tuesday. Free food, activities for kids, and different career opportunities like the 49ers Union and the Association of General Contractors came by the Lincoln…

Reggae Fest Jamming on in Duluth Next Month

Preps have begun for this year's Reggae World Music Festival in Bayfront Festival Park next month, happening in-person this year.

DULUTH, Minn.- Preps have begun for this year’s Reggae World Music Festival in Bayfront Festival Park next month, happening in-person this year. Last year Reggae Fest took a pause due to the COVID-19 restrictions at the time. Organizers say plans were underway to hold it differently this year until restrictions were lifted in May. “We are so happy and relieved…

Duluth Man Charged with Second-Degree Murder of St. Cloud State Professor

Investigators say 45-year-old Jason Beckman might have had issues with substance abuse and mental health.

DULUTH, Minn.- A 45-year-old Duluth man is behind bars in St. Cloud for randomly shooting and killing a longtime St. Cloud State Professor with ties to Duluth. Now more is coming out on Jason Beckman’s criminal past, why he was in St. Cloud, and what brought him to pull the trigger. A Stearns County judge is examining the mental competency…

Mushroom Madness in the Great North Woods

The Hobby of Mushrooming is Picking Up Across Many Parts of the Northland

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s a mushroom madness in the great north woods right now. With the foraging season kicking off in May, local mushroom masters say now is a great time to start the hunt. “It kind of started as a freak accident,” said Ariel Bonkoski, a forager from Duluth. It’s not a hobby that fits everyone’s forte. “When I…

New Coffee Bar Opens up at Glensheen Mansion

DULUTH, Minn.– At the Glensheen Mansion, another addition launched this morning that sells coffee from the Duluth Coffee Company, and doughnuts from Johnson’s Bakery. These items are being served out of the newly re-decorated carriage house garage space, and Glensheen is excited to see what it adds to the experience. “We really enjoy working with local businesses, Chester and Clara…

Lead Testing Results Revealed in Press Conference at City Hall

DULUTH, Minn.- In April, more than 100 single-family homes built before 1930 had their water lines tested for lead and today Duluth leaders released those results to the public. Although results showed higher traces than expected, no commonalities were found in neighborhoods. However, homes on dead-end streets did have higher traces of lead. “There’s no safe level of lead in…

Bay View Elementary Offers Summer School Programs

DULUTH, Minn.– Today the students of Bay View Elementary School’s summer program learned about bike safety from the Duluth Police Department, and got to ride with Hank and Henry. For the Duluth Police Department, it’s not only important to educate kids on how to ride their bikes safely but also to be more engaging with the public. “It is so…

Big Bottle Liquor Store Closing After 50 Years

DULUTH, Minn.– After 50 years of operation, another small family business is closing it’s doors. In Lincoln Park, the Big Bottle Liquor Store’s building has been sold, and they are discounting their remaining inventory in preparation for their official last day, July 24th. The owner shared his appreciation for the customers over the years saying, “I’m sure there will be…

Fireworks Stands and Fireworks Safety in the Northland

DULUTH, Minn.- Fireworks stands around the Northland are opening up with limited products to pick from this year, but the potential danger of using fireworks incorrectly remains. The Independence Day weekend is around the corner and people are getting a head start on their 4th of July festivities. Fire department officials know safety is important while using sparklers and firecrackers…

Biden Urges Shots for Young Adults as Variant Concern Grows

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. government is stepping up efforts to get younger Americans vaccinated for COVID-19 amid growing concern about the spread of a new variant that threatens to set the country back in the months ahead. The push is underway as the delta variant has come to represent more than 20% of coronavirus infections in the U.S. in…

Wisconsin Assembly Approves Penalty for Defunding Police

(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Assembly has passed a Republican-backed bill that would penalize local governments that attempt to defund police. The bill passed Tuesday, which the Senate passed earlier this month, is expected to be vetoed by Gov. Tony Evers. The proposal would mandate that any municipality that decreases the number of police, firefighters,…

American Airlines Cutting Flights as Summer Season Starts

DALLAS (AP) – American Airlines is cutting flights to protect its network from getting overloaded as summer travel season arrives. American scrubbed more than 130 flights by Tuesday afternoon, according to tracking service FlightAware. An American Airlines spokeswoman says the cancellations will average 50 to 60 flights a day the rest of June and between 50 and 80 a day…

Wisconsin Health Officials Launch COVID Plan for Schools

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin officials have launched a new program to test school children for COVID-19 this fall, the state Department of Health Services announced Tuesday. DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said participation will be voluntary. The DHS will work to connect schools that opt-in with labs that the agency uses to confirm COVID-19 tests. The labs…