News

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…

Suspect in St. Cloud Shooting Formally Charged

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The 45-year-old Duluth man arrested for the murder of 68-year-old Ed Ward has been formally charged. On Tuesday, Jason Robert Beckman was charged with three felony counts including second-degree murder with intent-not premeditated. According to the criminal complaint, St. Cloud police responded to reports of a shooting at a residence around 6:16 a.m. Sunday where officers…

Midday Update 6-22-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Morning Update 6-22-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, June 22, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Wisconsin Republicans to Send Election Bills to Governor

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Assembly plans to send bills to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers that would limit opportunities for absentee voting, make it more difficult for the elderly and disabled to cast absentee ballots, and prohibit officials from filling in missing information on the envelopes of returned absentee ballots. Evers is expected to veto all of the Republican-backed…

St. Cloud Homicide Suspect, Victim Have Ties to Duluth

Formal charges are still pending for the Duluth man police say randomly shot and killed Ed Ward in a doorway in St. Cloud.

DULUTH, Minn.- A weekend homicide in St. Cloud now has two close connections to Duluth. The alleged suspect lives here, as well as the daughter of the victim who was a longtime college professor. Photo: Amy Jones 68-year-old Ed Ward’s daughter says her family is grieving the loss of her father — a kind and compassionate man. Formal charges are…

Lake Superior Art Glass Offering Monthly Themed Classes

DULUTH, Minn.– Lake Superior Art Glass is continuing their monthly classes, as June offered a make-your-own drinkware segment that also honored Fathers Day. In a 30 minute window, people are able to come in to design their piece while watching the glass blowers create it. Although the class also offered a Fathers Day element, anyone is allowed to take the…

A New Art Gallery is Open on East Superior Street

DULUTH, Minn.- Yellow Bird Arts held a soft opening during Memorial Day weekend and is getting ready for their grand opening. Yellow Bird Fine Art in Grand Marais is the original location and the gallery in Downtown Duluth is their second location. Handcrafted jewelry, finger paintings, and photography can all be found in their gallery. “It’s really nice to know…

Final Suspect In Duluth Homicide Turns Himself Into Police

DULUTH, Minn. – The fifth and final suspect wanted in connection to Duluth’s first homicide of the year turned himself into police Monday evening. Homicide victim Juamada Anderson Jr., 22, of Duluth. A city spokesperson said Markus Seville Morris, 31, a well-known boxer from Duluth, made contact with the Duluth Police Department around 5:20 p.m. An arrest warrant was issued…

Northern Waters Smokehaus Opening Order Windows

DULUTH, Minn.– Northern Waters Smokehaus in Canal Park has decided not to re-open their store front in the DeWitt-Seitz building due to efficiency concerns and overcrowding and instead have installed new outdoor-ordering windows. They hope to cut wait times down whether it is a large or smaller order as they also look to continue great customer service and are eager…

City Hosts Duluth City Flag Raising Ceremony

DULUTH, Minn.- The City of Duluth invited the community for their new flag raising ceremony at City Hall earlier today. The Duluth fire and police departments’ honor guard presented and installed the new flag. City officials and members of the community were in attendance; those attending say they are proud of the new flag and what it represents. “I think…

Warrior Brewing Company Kicks off Production

  DULUTH, Minn.- For two veterans ideas were brewing up for the past seven months. Warrior Brewing Company in Duluth held their first canning of three unique beers. Local owners, Matt Caple and Ben Gipson met in the brewing industry while raising funds for veteran organizations. They came together with a plan seven months ago and are ready for distribution….

Police From Minneapolis, UM to Step up Patrols in Dinkytown

MINNEAPOLIS – Officers from the Minneapolis Police Department and the University of Minnesota will begin patrolling the Dinkytown area near the university in an effort to curb violent crime. Dinkytown has been a popular spot for students over the years and is home to numerous restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and apartments. Crime near campus has surged recently, much of it…

Duluth Police Identify Victim in Downtown Shooting

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police have identified the victim injured in a shooting that took place Sunday night in downtown Duluth. Police say 41-year-old William David Urrutia was struck by gunfire on the 100 block of East 3rd Street around 9:15 p.m. Urrutia was transported to a local hospital for his injuries but has since been released. Authorities say Urrutia…

St. Cloud State Professor Identified as Victim of ‘Random’ Deadly Shooting

(photo credit: Family of Ed Ward) ST. CLOUD, Minn. (FOX 9) – The man shot and killed in what police say was a “random” incident Sunday morning in St. Cloud has been identified as a 68-year-old St. Cloud State University professor. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office said the victim was Dr. Edward Anthony Ward. The University confirmed the news Monday,…

US Hitting Encouraging Milestones on Virus Deaths and Shots

(AP) – The U.S. is reaching a pair of encouraging milestones as the COVID-19 pandemic’s grip on the nation continues to loosen. COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. have dipped below 300 a day for the first time since the outbreak’s early days in March 2020. Meanwhile, nearly 150 million Americans are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. COVID-19 was the third…

Child Tax Credit 2021: Here’s Who Will Receive Monthly Payments

WASHINGTON (Fox 9) – The Biden administration is working to make sure eligible families are aware of the upcoming monthly child payments, part of the expanded child tax credit under President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. Automatic payments from the Child Tax Credit will begin hitting bank accounts and mailboxes on July 15. The Treasury Department said last…