News

Wisconsin GOP Leaders Praise State’s Vaccination Efforts

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is calling on the state’s business community to “step up” and return workers to offices around the Fourth of July. Vos and Republican Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu also joined together Wednesday in praising Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ administration for its vaccination efforts. They spoke during a virtual event hosted by…

Spirit Valley Home Damaged in Electrical Fire

DULUTH, Minn. – A home in Spirit Valley sustained $40,000 worth of damage when a fire broke out early Wednesday morning. According to the Duluth Fire Department, fire crews responded to reports of a fire around 3:32 a.m. at 4706 West 5th Street. When fire crews arrived at the scene they found flames engulfing the rear addition of the home….

Midday Update 3-24-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, Mar. 24, 2021

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

Longtime Blues Musician Mick Sterling Stopping in Duluth to Promote New Book

Sterling Will Visit Duluth's West Theatre Thursday, Mar. 25, and Friday, Mar. 26 to Discuss the Book and Perform

DULUTH, Minn. – Many people throughout the region know Mick Sterling as the soulful rock singer and leader of many bands, a key performer in the annual Bayfront Blues Fest, plus as a committed philanthropist. In his new book, And Else: A Version of Life According to Mick Sterling, readers get to meet Mick Sterling, the engaging observer and talented…

The ‘Fur-Beatles’ Are Officially Back Together

Cloquet Resident and Owner of the Fur-Beatles, Joe Thompson, is Thrilled to Welcome the Final Member to His Squad

CLOQUET, Minn. – Harrison, Paul, and Ringo. Those names are synonymous with three-quarters of arguably the most recognizable band in history. But something was missing for one passionate pet owner in Cloquet. “You can’t have the Fur-Beatles with just three,” said Joe Thompson, owner of the Fur-Beatles. You may recognize Thompson from a couple of years ago when FOX 21…

College of St. Scholastica Planning To Return To In-Person Learning This Fall

DULUTH, Minn. – The College of St. Scholastica announced on Wednesday that it is planning for a more “normal semester” for fall 2021. The college says it is making plans to return to full in-person learning and has appointed a Planning Task Force to develop plans for a safe return to the campus. The Task Force, comprised of faculty and…

Walz: Minnesota Ranks First in the Nation in Vaccines Administered

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gov. Tim Walz announced today that Minnesota currently ranks number one in the country for the highest percentage of vaccine dosages administered. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Minnesota has administered 88.55% of the vaccine dosages received. “I am so proud of all the hard work done in our state to make Minnesota…

Jury Set for Ex-Cop’s Trial in Floyd Death; Starts Monday

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A jury has been seated for the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer in George Floyd’s death, with opening statements set for Monday. The final juror was chosen Tuesday, more than two weeks after the process began. Attorneys and the judge worked through more than 100 people, dismissing most because they acknowledged strong views about an…

Morning Update 3-24-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, Mar. 24, 2021

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

Low Interest Rates Continue To Fuel Home Sales in Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE (AP) — It’s been another record for home sales in Wisconsin this past month. The latest figures from the Wisconsin Realtors Association found nearly 4,395 homes were sold in February, up 5.5 percent from the same month last year. Marquette University economist David Clark, who produces the monthly reports in conjunction with the WRA, said extremely low mortgage rates…

Two Women Killed in Carlton County Crash

CLEAR CREEK, Minn. (AP) — Two women have died in a crash in northeastern Minnesota, according to the State Patrol. The two died Tuesday evening in a single-vehicle crash that shut down a portion of Highway 23 in Carlton County, the patrol said. The victims have been identified as 35-year-old Angela Severson, of Pierre, South Dakota, and 36-year-old Jennifer Bokusky,…

Sweet Success: Brule River Farm Continues 30-Year Tradition of Maple Syrup Making

Brule River Farm Will Sell Their Homemade Maple Syrup at Superior Farmers Market Starting May 26

BRULE, Wis. – As the seasons change, the sap is running wild in the north woods. For the owners of Brule River Farm in Brule, Wisconsin, it’s a season they look forward to year-round. “It’s something we wouldn’t do if we didn’t like it, and it’s a passion for us, it keeps us busy,” said David Dumke, co-owner of Brule…

Canal Bark Recovering After Tough Pandemic Year

Before the pandemic, about 50 to 70 dogs would board at Canal Bark per night, now owners said they're improving at 10-15 per night.

DULUTH, Minn.- As people are slowly starting to travel again, doggy daycare facilities like Canal Bark are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel after a quiet year. Before the pandemic, about 50 to 70 dogs would board at Canal Bark per night. But last year, there were no more than 5 at a time throughout…

‘Tacos Tacos Tacos’ Brings Mexican Flavor to Downtown Duluth

The owner says opening up during the pandemic came with challenges, like securing equipment, importing ingredients, and hiring.

DULUTH, Minn.- A slice of authentic Mexican cuisine opened up downtown in the old Coney Island space on East Superior Street. The joint is called Tacos Tacos Tacos. They serve a variety of authentic Mexican taqueria favorites most notably Al Pastor style: pork rotating on a spit cooked over a low flame. The owner says opening up during the pandemic…

First Photo to Close Doors After 28 Years in Business

Printing at First Photo will be available through the end of this month, with the business closing in late April.

DULUTH, Minn.- A longtime photo printing and photography store in Duluth is closing its doors after more than 28 years in business. The owner of First Photo on Central Entrance Road says it wasn’t necessarily just the pandemic. He says demand for high quality photo orders and prints has dropped over the years as more people took to sharing photos…

Duluth Man Arrested in Lincoln Park Home Invasion, Assault

A felony warrant was also issued to the victim for violating his supervised release for a separate criminal court case -- days before this latest crime.

  DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man was arrested on Saturday after breaking into a home in the Lincoln Park neighborhood and assaulting the 92-year-old female resident. According to the criminal complaint, officers responded to a burglary in the 700 block of North 20th Avenue West around 4:00 p.m. Saturday. When officers arrived at the residence they learned that the…

Mayou Running for Duluth City Council

A Duluth native and UMD grad has announced they are running for the second district city council seat after Joel Sipress announced he’s not running again.

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth native and UMD grad has announced they are running for the second district city council seat after Joel Sipress announced he’s not running again. Mike Mayou is running for the seat that has been filled by Sipress for the last two terms. Mayou says if elected, he will focus on needs relating toe the pandemic…

City of Superior Considering Giving Land to Build Single Family Homes

The City of Superior is considering giving away land to build several single-family homes with the goal of getting more people invested in the city.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The City of Superior is considering giving away land to build several single-family homes with the goal of getting more people invested in the city. Throughout the Twin Ports and the nation, homes for sale are at an all-time low as demand continues to soar in part due to the pandemic. Now the city of Superior is…

More People Can Get the Vaccine in Wisconsin

Across the state of Wisconsin, more people are now eligible for the vaccine.

WISCONSIN – Across the state of Wisconsin, more people are now eligible for the vaccine. Previously eligible groups included law enforcement, health care workers, along with those 65 and older. Now Douglas County health officials say they are going through more groups including people with disabilities along with those 16 and older who have underlying health conditions including diabetes, obesity,…

Local Breeder Sees Career Best Litter

"Usually we expect to have eight to ten puppies per litter."

  DULUTH, Minn. – The local kennel Wolfe Den Retrievers is celebrating its most recent litter of American pointing lab puppies. “Usually we expect to have eight to ten puppies per litter,” Wolfe Den Retrievers Owner, Colette Wolfe Dickmeyer says. Lucy, the first-time mom, surprised her owners with sixteen. “This is a first for me. The biggest litter I ever…

Need for Disputed Pipeline Argued in Minnesota Appeals Court

(AP Photo/Jim Mone, File) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals has heard arguments over Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 replacement project in northern Minnesota, which opponents are calling unnecessary due to an eventual decline in the demand for oil. The Minnesota Department of Commerce, along with the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and…

Booze-To-Go Approved by Wisconsin Senate

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Booze-to-go will be easier to purchase in Wisconsin under a pair of bills passed Tuesday by the state Senate. One would allow bars and restaurants to sell mixed drinks and glasses of wine to go with tamper-evident seals. The Senate approved the bill on a 28-2 vote with no debate. The Assembly passed it next week. It…

Midday Update 3-23-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, Mar. 23, 2021

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

Jury Set for Ex-Cop’s Trial in Floyd Death; Starts March 29

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A jury has been seated for the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer in George Floyd’s death, with opening statements set for March 29. The final juror was chosen Tuesday,  more than two weeks after the process began. Attorneys and the judge worked through more than 100 people, dismissing most because they acknowledged strong views about…

Boulder Supermarket Shooter ID’d as 21-Year-Old Man

  BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Police on Tuesday identified a 21-year-old man as the suspect in the killing of 10 people at a Boulder, Colorado, supermarket. Supermarket employees told investigators that Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa shot an elderly man multiple times Monday outside the Boulder grocery store before going inside, according to the documents. Another person was found shot in…

Morning Update 3-23-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, Mar. 23, 2021

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

Colorado Shooting Leaves 10 Dead in Latest Mass Tragedy

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Police say 10 people have been killed in a shooting at a Colorado supermarket, including a police officer. Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold said Monday night that a lone suspect is in custody and is getting medical treatment. Police refuse to speculate on a motive and say the investigation has just begun. Herold identified the slain…

9-Year-Old Minnesota Boy Survives Shark Attack in Miami

(FOX 9) – A Minnesota boy vacationing in Florida with his family survived a shark attack Sunday in Miami Beach. Nine-year-old Jay Weiskopf was rushed to the hospital where he received treatment for injuries to his right shoulder, including surgery. He received more than 100 stitches on his side and shoulder. The family was waiting for their hotel room to be available…

Essentia Health Donates To CHUM Food Shelf’s Produce Partnership With Local Farmers

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health donated $7,500 to the CHUM Food Shelf in Duluth on Monday. CHUM partners with the Community-Supported Agriculture Guild by buying fresh produce from local farmers, which is then distributed to people in need through the food shelf. Essentia’s donation will go toward that program, with the locally-grown fruits and vegetables adding more nutritional value to…

Superior Public Library Card Holders Can Now Check Out Free Area Museum Passes

Once checked out, the passes are good for six weeks.  

SUPERIOR, Wis.- In Superior it now pays to have a library card, which will get you free passes to area museums. The library is restarting an initiative from 2019. Library card holders in good standing can get up to four passes to Superior’s different museums: Fairlawn Mansion, the SS Meteor Maritime Museum at Barker’s Island, The Bong Veterans Historical Center,…

Former Cloquet Hardware Store Turning into New Thrift Shop

NorthStar Community Services Will Soon Open a Thrift Store in the Former Space of Wood City Lights and Hardware

CLOQUET, Minn. – A longtime hardware store in Cloquet will soon be shutting its doors for good. But new hope is on the horizon for the space. “It’s just wonderful to be part of the community,” said Linda Erickson, former owner of Erickson Hardware in Cloquet. Erickson has a love for helping residents in her community fix just about anything…

Planning Moves Forward For 2022 Seawall Reconstruction, Walkway Redesign Behind DECC 

Duluth Council gave the go-ahead to begin looking at designs for reconstructing the aging seawall and the surrounding greenspace from the Slip to Bayfront.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth City Council passed two resolutions for pre-design and pre-engineering work for Phase II  of seawall construction and rehabilitating the pedestrian walkway along Harbor Drive between Canal Park and Bayfront. Councilors say they expect construction to begin on the seawall in 2022. They plan to use some of the $13 million in state bonding bill money the city…

Health Department Assists Rural Minnesota Town with Covid-19 Testing Site

East Range Communities and the city of Aurora are doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19.

AURORA, Minn. – A temporary COVID testing site is now open at the Aurora Community and Senior Center. Due to the recent spike in cases in the area, the Minnesota Department of Health got the go-ahead to open up a facility in the East Range Area. “What we noticed over the last few weeks specifically in town here and kind…

4th Of July Fireworks To Return To Duluth’s Bayfront Park

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council has approved up to $50,000 to bring back the annual 4th of July fireworks display down at Bayfront Park. The city and DECC will work together to adapt the event within Bayfront Park as new state and federal guidelines are released involving COVID. “We would encourage people to come up, we would encourage…

People Make Spring Travel Plans

Some travel agencies are seeing more people booking getaways.

DULUTH, Minn. – Some travel agencies are seeing more people booking getaways. Because many flights were canceled last year, people received an airline voucher to purchase a ticket for this year. Travel agencies like Divine Destinations in Duluth say that right now, they’re seeing half of their clients book domestic flights, and the other half looking to go international. “They’re…

Police: 10 People Killed In Colorado Supermarket Shooting

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — A shooting at a Colorado supermarket killed 10 people Monday, including a police officer who was the first to respond to the scene, authorities said. Police arrested a suspect, but didn’t reveal his name or any details about the shooting at an evening news conference where Boulder police Chief Maris Herold fought back tears. Investigators had…

Greenhouse Workers Excited for Spring

Spring is here and greenhouses throughout the Northland and are preparing for customers.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Spring is here and greenhouses throughout the Northland and are preparing for customers. At Lilac Hill Greenhouse in Hermantown, spring is its busiest season. Spring trends include hanging baskets and container gardens, especially with annuals and perennials filled with colors. Colors that are most popular during the spring are bright colors that are attractive, including reds, yellows…

Duluth Native Comes Up With Vials for Vaccine Containment and Distribution

One Duluth native is helping come up with vials for vaccine containment and distribution.

NEW YORK – One Duluth native is helping come up with vials for vaccine containment and distribution. Joe Mattson graduated from Duluth Central High School in 2009 and UMD in 2013 and is currently based in New York, working for Corning, a technology company. He helped put together Corning Valor Glass, which is one of several vials that are used…

Plans to Distribute CARES Act Funding to Nine Organizations, City Council Still Needs to Approve Final Plans

A second round of federal CARES Act funding is on the way to Duluth. City leaders are now finalizing how to use that money to address various needs related to recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

DULUTH, Minn. – A second round of federal CARES Act funding is on the way to Duluth. City leaders are now finalizing how to use that money to address various needs related to recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. About $1.2 million of this funding will be emergency solutions grant funds. Another half a million will be community development block grants….

Chippewa Tribes Blast Wolf Hunt, Say It Was About Killing

(AP Photo/Dawn Villella, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Chippewa tribal officials in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan are blasting the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for allowing state-licensed wolf hunters to blow past their quota in just four days last month. Hunters killed 216 wolves, nearly double their quota of 119 animals. The Chippewa view the wolf as sacred and oppose…

Prison Death Investigated as a Homicide, Inmate in Custody

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The death of an inmate at the Rush City prison is being investigated as a homicide, according to the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Officers were doing regular rounds at the Minnesota Correctional Facility and found James Francis Howard with face and head injuries in his cell about 11:30 p.m. Sunday, correction officials said Monday. Staff…

Evers OKs Dentists To Vaccinate as Millions Become Eligible

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill that allows dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccinations on Monday, the same day that more than 2 million more people became eligible for shots. The Republican-authored bill allows dentists who complete eight hours of training on vaccine protocols and record-keeping to administer shots. Dentists in neighboring Minnesota and Illinois are already…

14th Juror Seated for Ex-Officer’s Trial in Floyd’s Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A 14th juror has been seated for the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death. At least one more juror is needed before opening statements next week. Derek Chauvin is charged with murder and manslaughter. The juror chosen Monday is a social worker who says she has talked with friends about police…

Midday Update 3-22-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, Mar. 22, 2021

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

One Person Injured in Eveleth Garage Explosion, Fire

EVELETH, Minn. – One person was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for burns following an explosion and fire that engulfed a garage in Eveleth Monday morning. According to the Northland FireWire, the explosion happened just after 7:30 a.m. on the 600 block of 17th Avenue West. Fire crews from Eveleth, Fayal Township, Mountain Iron, and Virginia were dispatched…

After Virtual Hiatus, Nearly Naked Ruck March Bounces Back in 2021

The Nearly Naked Ruck March is Happening Saturday, Mar. 27, 2021

DULUTH, Minn. – Northland residents are invited and encouraged to march for a great cause on Saturday, Mar. 27 starting at 10 a.m. along Skyline Parkway near Enger Tower. After a virtual hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, 23rd Veteran is proud to be bringing back the in-person version of the Nearly Naked Ruck March. The march is a way…