News

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Remain Steady at Essentia Health

Dr. Jon Pryor, President of Essentia Health, Talks Hospitalizations, Vaccinations, and Summer Safety

DULUTH, Minn. – Over 46 percent of the eligible population in Minnesota is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In Wisconsin, over 44 percent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated. While the numbers continue to climb, health officials say there is still plenty of work to be done. Dr. Jon Pryor is the President of Essentia Health in Duluth. Pryor says…

Biden Announces International COVID-19 Vaccine Sharing Plan

(courtesy: Facebook/Biden) WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is unveiling President Joe Biden’s plans to share COVID-19 vaccines with the world, including directing 75% of excess doses through the UN-backed COVAX global vaccine sharing program. The White House has previously stated its intent to share 80 million vaccine doses with the world by the end of June. The administration says…

26-Year-Old Lioness Shanti Deva Dies at Wildcat Sanctuary

SANDSTONE, Minn. – The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone announced Thursday morning that its 26-year-old lioness matriarch named Shanti Deva has passed away. Shanti Deva came to the sanctuary in 2006 when she was rescued from an auction at the now-closed Catskill game farm in (courtesy: The Wildcat Sanctuary) New York by an animal watchdog group. The sanctuary says Shanti Deva…

‘Summer Sipper’ Guide with Duluth’s Hoops Brewing

Dave Hoops, Owner of Hoops Brewing in Duluth, Showcases Three Perfect Brews to Sip this Summer Season

DULUTH, Minn. – The official start to summer kicks off on June 20 this year, but already with the heatwave on the way this weekend, many will be soaking up the summer sun at the beach or on the boat. Many local breweries and cideries are hoping you remember them as the season gets underway. Dave Hoops is the owner…

Morning Update 6-3-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, June 3, 2021

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

GND Rec Center Continues to Receive Donations

All of these donations are going towards the completion of the upcoming skate park that already has more than $400,000 invested in it this weekend. 

DULUTH, Minn– The Gary New Duluth Rec Center continues to receive donations as they gain more progress in building their new facilities. Minnesota power recently donated $25,000 while another anonymous donor made a $10,000 donation which the GND development alliance was able to match. All of these donations are going towards the completion of the upcoming skate park that already…

Crews Removing Barriers, Memorials at George Floyd Square

(AP Photo/Christian Monterrosa) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Crews are removing concrete barriers as well as artwork, flowers, and other memorial items from a Minneapolis intersection that has become a sprawling memorial to George Floyd. City crews began the work at about 4:30 a.m. Thursday at the intersection, which is informally known as George Floyd Square and was where the 46-year-old Black…

State Seeks 30 Years for Chauvin; Defense Wants Time Served

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prosecutors are seeking a 30-year sentence for the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murder in the death of George Floyd, but a defense attorney is asking that Derek Chauvin be sentenced to probation and time already served. Chauvin is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25 following his conviction on murder and manslaughter charges. Judge Peter…

AICHO Helps Kids Plant Garden at Duluth Library

DULUTH, Minn.– As summer approaches, a Duluth organization is teaching kids how to garden. The American Indian Community Housing Organization or AICHO was at the Duluth Library this afternoon to plant a small garden with its children’s program. They planted strawberries, pole beans, sunflowers, and more along Michigan Street. Those with AICHO say it will teach kids more about indigenous…

Proctor Car Show Returns for First Time in Two Years

PROCTOR, Minn.– For the first time in two years, a classic car show returned to Proctor Wednesday afternoon. Car enthusiasts met up at the Powerhouse Bar in Proctor to show off their classic rides. More than 75 cars were in the lot. Car shows in proctor take place every Wednesday night at new locations, a tradition that was sidelined last…

April Tourism Tax Revenue Up 200% From 2020

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar stopped in Duluth Wednesday to let everybody know Duluth is back in business.

DULUTH, Minn.– Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar stopped in Duluth Wednesday to let everybody know Duluth is back in business. “The hotels are open, restaurants are open, and it’s really important that people that not just northern Minnesota but across the state that northern Minnesota is a great place to go on vacation or take a weekend to visit.” This comes…

Renovations at Wrenshall Public Schools Moving Forward with Completion Set for Early Fall

Phase Two Renovations Are Set to be Complete in Late-August

WRENSHALL, Minn. – You can feel it in the air – school is almost out for the summer. It’s been a year of new adventures, hard learning curves, and trying moments, but the staff at Wrenshall Public Schools is 100 percent focused on the future. “It’s great that we’re doing it, it’s like we’re finally here,” said Kimberly Belcastro, superintendent…

Vandalism Found at Bay View Elementary School

PROCTOR, Minn.– This past weekend, Bay View Elementary School in Proctor discovered vandalism to its playground, after students worked so hard, planting and improving their yard for spring. According to the superintendent, John Engelking, it was a very disappointing discovery of the graffiti on the playground, along with multiple plants ripped up. It took multiple members of staff and about…

Volunteers Needed for Annual Flower Planting in Downtown Duluth

BY LAUREN AKABORI, Fox 21 Reporter DULUTH, Minn.-Volunteers are still needed to help plant flowers in downtown Duluth as a part of the Clean and Safe Team’s 18th annual “Dig in for the Downtown Waterfront.” Nearly a dozen volunteers came out to help plant flowers in the 100 empty streetscape planters in the downtown area today. Volunteers are still needed…

Donors Needed for Blood Drive on Thursday at AMSOIL Arena

BY LAUREN AKABORI, Fox 21 Reporter DULUTH, Minn.-As the pandemic continues the need for blood donations across the country is growing. The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at AMSOIL Arena through Thursday. There were 50 donation appointments booked for Wednesday and more blood donors are needed for tomorrow’s event. “I started with the Red Cross almost a…

Inline Marathon Celebrating 25 Year Anniversary

DULUTH, Minn.– The Inline Marathon announced its in-person return this summer, after holding the race virtually last year. They expect over 2,000 applicants, and announced a couple of new additions for the festival being held September 17th through the 19th. As they celebrate the races 25th anniversary, they introduced new branding, themes, and even a new race director, Zach Burns….

Superior Shelter Offering Adoption Kits for Cats

With an influx of cats waiting to be put up for adoption, the shelter is now offering adoption kits.

SUPERIOR, Wis. —  It’s National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month and the Douglas County Humane Society is doing something special for all of their shelter cats. With an influx of cats waiting to be put up for adoption, the shelter is now offering adoption kits. The kits include litter, toys and treats and all the essential items you need so…

Local Elections New Front in Wisconsin Redistricting Battle

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — County board and local aldermanic districts in Wisconsin would remain the same next year under a bill moving quickly through the Republican-controlled Legislature. The measure introduced on Tuesday and heard by an Assembly committee on Wednesday would delay redistricting and implementation of new political boundaries for local races until at least 2023. The bill is supported…

Pizza Ranch Announces Mid-June Opening

DULUTH, Minn. – On Wednesday, Pizza Ranch announced on their Facebook page they will be opening their doors later this month. The restaurant, which will be located at the former Lucky’s 13 Pub space at the Miller Hill Mall, wrote on their Facebook page they will officially be open for business on Monday, June 14 at 11:00 a.m. For the…

Wisconsin Republicans Block Medical Marijuana

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans who control the Legislature’s powerful budget-writing committee again blocked a Democratic attempt Wednesday to legalize marijuana for medical uses. The GOP stripped a provision legalizing medical marijuana from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ 2021-23 budget last month as the party erased hundreds of Evers’ proposals from the spending plan. Democrats on the budget committee introduced a…

Midday Update 6-2-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, June 2021

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

Lake Superior Zoo Spring Membership Drive Ends Today

Zoo Officials Say Memberships Pay for Themselves After Two Visits to the Facility

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s a summer packed with wild fun at the Lake Superior Zoo. Happening Tuesday, June 2, the zoo will host its M.A.D. Safari member appreciation day event. There will be free train rides, floats, and behind-the-scenes tours. Zoo CEO, Haley Cope, explains the benefits of becoming a member of the Lake Superior Zoo. “Beyond the bonus perks which…

Morning Update 6-2-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, June 2, 2021

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

Biden Pushes for US Voting Rights Law as Restrictions Mount

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has used the 100th anniversary of Tulsa’s race massacre to plea for sweeping legislation in Congress to protect the right to vote. Biden’s message comes as Republican-led state governments pass new restrictions making it tougher to cast ballots. Biden called out lawmakers in Congress — including two senators in his own party — for…

Mike Randolph Resigns as Head Coach of Duluth East Boys Hockey Team

His 658 career coaching victories rank third all-time in state history.

DULUTH, Minn. – For over three decades, Mike Randolph has been a staple of the Duluth East boys hockey team. But Tuesday, we learned some shocking news that is sure to impact not only prep hockey in the Northland, but in the entire state as well. FOX 21 has confirmed that Mike Randolph is resigning as head coach of the…

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Announces Plan to Remove Dredging Debris from Park Point

In the past nine months, surveyors have discovered a gallon of mostly rocks and wood but also taconite pellets, nails, and other man made fragments.

DULUTH, Minn.- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Duluth have announced a plan to cleanup aluminum and tin metal fragments from Park Point Beach. The Corps had spread dredged sediment the help rebuild the beach washing away on Minnesota Point — but it left shards of decades old aluminum cans mixed into the sand. Since then…

Shorty’s Abruptly Shuts Down, Cites ‘Huge Shortage of Labor’

Due to a shortage of staff, owners say they couldn't deliver the experience they say they used to -- a problem that is affecting businesses throughout Superior and beyond.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The popular Shorty’s Pizza and Smoked Meats in Superior meats has abruptly shut down, just months after being featured again on the Food Network’s “Diners Drive-Ins and Dives.” The once bustling kitchen and busy dining area — now a dark, closed down building on Tower Avenue. “It was just out of nowhere,” said Catrina Wuolu, a 20-year Superior…

Great Outdoors: Golf Shop Sales

A large part of what they do is custom fitted clubs helping golfers make bigger strides.

DULUTH, Minn. — Nevada Bobs is a full service golf store offering a little something for every golf enthusiast. “Anything golf related we carry and we sell. We also have simulators that we use for custom fitting which is bread our bread and butter of what we do,” Nevada Bob’s Golf Manager, Dan Szymczak says. With everyone working at the…

Duluth Candy Company Grand Opening is Today

DULUTH, Minn-Duluth Candy Company is holding its grand opening today under its new ownership. The popcorn was popping all morning and the shelves were stocked and ready for all the customers excited to return to the business that was forced to close last December.  Those who stopped by were given a sample of the caramel apple pie popcorn as well…

One Arrested in Cass County Shots Fired Incident

CASS COUNTY, Minn. – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says a 25-year-old male has been arrested in connection to a Tuesday morning shots fired incident. Deputies responded to reports of several shots fired at individuals around 10:32 a.m. in the Sugar Point area of Gould Township. When authorities arrived at the scene they spoke with the caller who was reported…

Chauvin Faces Hearing on Federal Charges in Floyd’s Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murder in last year’s death of George Floyd is scheduled to make an initial appearance in federal court for allegedly violating Floyd’s civil rights. Derek Chauvin is scheduled to appear in court via video conference Tuesday from Minnesota’s maximum-security prison in Oak Park Heights, where he’s being held as he…

Suspect Arrested in 2017 Hibbing Homicide

HIBBING, Minn. – Authorities say a suspect has been arrested and charged in connection to the 2017 Hibbing homicide of 71-year-old Courtney Fenske. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, 51-year-old Blake Stangel was charged Friday with second-degree manslaughter, He is currently being held at the St.Louis County Jail on $100,000 bail. Court documents say Fenske was found dead…

Midday Update 6-1-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, June 1, 2021

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

Guard Sues Minnesota State Patrol for Arrest During Protests

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Black man who worked as a security guard for a CNN crew covering protests in Minneapolis following George Floyd’s death last summer is suing two Minnesota State Patrol officers, accusing them of violating his civil rights and unlawful detention, his attorneys announced Tuesday. The lawsuit was filed in federal court last Thursday on behalf of Michael Cooper, a…

Moderna Seeks Full FDA Approval for Its Vaccine

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — American pharmaceutical company Moderna says it has begun the process to win full U.S. regulatory approval for the use of its COVID-19 vaccine in adults. Moderna announced Tuesday it has begun a “rolling submission” to the Food and Drug Administration of data from its studies of the two-dose vaccine. Moderna’s vaccine already has been cleared for emergency…

Ready, Set, Build! LEGO® MASTERS Season 2 Kicks Off Tonight On FOX

Watch LEGO® MASTERS on FOX Starting Tuesday, June 1 on FOX 21

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’re looking for a show that brings imagination, design, and creativity to life, then you’re in luck this summer. Tune in to FOX 21 Tuesday, June 1 at 7 p.m. for the season two premiere of LEGO® MASTERS. The show is hosted by actor and producer Will Arnett. Teams of two will compete against each other…

Morning Update 6-1-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, June 1, 2021

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

COVID-19 Hospitalizations at Their Lowest Level in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Hospitalizations due to the COVID-19 virus are at their lowest recorded levels in Wisconsin, a 92% drop from the peak less than seven months ago. The Wisconsin Hospital Association said that as of Monday, there were 186 people reported as hospitalized statewide due to the virus. The previous low was 192 people on April 2, the first…

Teen Arrested for Aggravated Robbery in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police say an 18-year-old male was arrested Monday after robbing an individual at the Northland Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial. According to the police, the incident happened just after 4:00 p.m. The victim told authorities that the teen threatened him with a machete and stole his backpack. The victim was able to take pictures of the suspect during…

Water Emergency on BWCA Leaves One Dead

The victim had been underwater for two to three minutes according to his party. 

ST. LOUIS COUNTY.–  The St. Louis County sheriff’s deputies responded to a water emergency on trout lake in the BWCA Monday afternoon at 2:20 p.m. Due to poor cell phone service, it took authorities longer to find out a 51-year-old male had fallen out of a boat and into the water on the north arm of the lake. The victim…

Veterans, Active Servicemen in Community Take Time to Remember Fallen on Memorial Day

Veterans and active duty military members in the Northland observed Memorial Day from work -- some in jobs that keep our community running and safe.

DULUTH, Minn.- While different events honored those who gave their lives for our country, veterans and active duty military members in the Northland observed Memorial Day from work — some in jobs that keep our community running and safe. Across the country at 3 p.m. Taps Across America events held a moment of silence and presented the colors honoring service…

Duluth Huskies Fans Excited to be ‘Out to Ballgame’ Again

It was Huskies gear as far as the eye could see and the smell of popcorn in the air at Wade Stadium Monday night.

DULUTH, Minn.- The grandstands were packed as plenty of Duluth Huskies fans got to sing “take me out to the ballgame” again after not seeing games for two years. It was Huskies gear as far as the eye could see and the smell of popcorn in the air at Wade Stadium Monday night. One super-fan was overjoyed to be back,…

Proctor Holds Annual Memorial Say Observance

Following the program, Proctors American Legion 106 visited six area cemeteries to salute the departed.

PROCTOR, Minn. — The annual proctor memorial day observance took place this morning at the proctor community center. Hosted by the American Legion 106, the event was geared towards memorializing those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. In a time when restrictions are loosening up, organizers took the time to reflect on this past year. “With the…

Firefighters Share Grill Safety Tips Ahead of Summer Barbecue Season

Charcoal should also be stored in a dry area because if it gets wet and need to be dried charcoal can be heat sensitive.

DULUTH, Minn.- With Memorial Day being the unofficial kickoff to summer, many break out and fire up the grill for the season, so the Duluth Fire Department wants to remind the public of proper grill safety. According to state rules open flames are prohibited on decks of apartments with three or more dwelling units. Firefighters also say to be cautious…

Superior Hosts Annual Memorial Day Ceremony

Afterwards, the event moved to the Richard Bong Veterans Historical Center for a flag raising ceremony.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — Superior hosted their own memorial day ceremonies at the greenwood cemetery on tower avenue. With a presentation of wreaths, guest speakers, harbor master singers and an honor guard presentation. Organizers wanted to keep the event going rain or shine, even having an abbreviated event last year to honor our nations veterans. “We really honor the veterans. Our…