News

Head of the Lakes United Way’s Winter Day of Caring

SUPERIOR Wis.– On Wednesday, hundreds of volunteers helped at 15 nonprofits across the Northland. To help celebrate Head of the Lakes United Ways Winter Day of Caring. One of those places is the Superior Douglas County YMCA. Volunteers were tasked with writing over 100 thank you letters to members of the YMCA, that helps things run smoothly. The fitness center…

Holiday Light Display Safety Tips

DULUTH, Minn.– According to the National Fire Protection Association, December is the leading month of house fires. And the Duluth Fire Marshal is urging homeowners to decorate with caution. Whether you’re stringing lights outside, or putting up the tree, remembering fire safety is crucial. Preventing these fires is all about making sure your displays are not outdated and set up…

CHUM in Need of Winter Clothes

DULUTH, Minn.– The temps are getting cooler and organizations like CHUM needs help keeping families who use their shelter stay warm. With winter on the brink, more and more people are accessing the shelter. And with that, the demand for winter clothes is going up. CHUM specifically needs gloves to help avoid frost bite. Another thing they’re looking for, is…

Majority Of Supreme Court Seems Reluctant To Block State Bans On Medical Treatments For Minors

Outside U.S. Supreme Court Dec. 4 (AP) WASHINGTON (AP) — Hearing a high-profile culture-war clash, a majority of the Supreme Court seemed reluctant Wednesday to block Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The justices’ decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives…

UnitedHealthcare CEO Killed In ‘Targeted Shooting’ Outside New York Hotel, Officials Say

(AP) NEW YORK (AP) — UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday morning in what police said was a “brazen, targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference. The 50-year-old executive was shot around 6:45 a.m. as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel, police…

Kmart Lot Still at Top of Spirit Valley Concerns

The lot has been empty since 2018, creating an eyesore, and hole in the community

DULUTH, Minn. – A meeting meant to generate ideas from the public, becomes joint calls to address vacant Kmart lot. The Spirt Valley Core Investment Plan held its first community meeting at City Center West Tuesday evening. City planners hoped that small group activities amongst residents would generate ideas and feedback, as to what those living in the area would…

‘Tinsel Tavern’ to Shine at Duluth Winter Village

DULUTH, Minn. — This year’s Duluth Winter Village at the DECC is expanding to include a Tinsel Tavern. The tavern includes 1,000 feet of tinsel, 600 feet of wrapping paper and 36 strings of lights.  As for the tavern, Vikre Distillery will be creating holiday cocktails and mocktails, like a Gingerbread Old Fashion. The Winter Village is Saturday and Sunday…

Minnesota Ballet Performs at Essentia Health

DULUTH, Minn.– After trying for several years, the Minnesota Ballet took their show on the road to spread some holiday spirit. Dancers of the Minnesota Ballet visited Essentia Health and performed several scenes from the Nutcracker for visitors passing by. In addition, they also passed out coupons for the upcoming Friday and Saturday performances. A free child ticket, with a…

Trump Vows To Block Japanese Steelmaker From Buying US Steel

President-elect Donald Trump is underscoring his intention to block the purchase of U.S. Steel by Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel Corp., and he’s pledging to use tax incentives and tariffs to strengthen the iconic American steelmaker. Trump said during the campaign that he would “instantaneously” block the deal, and he reiterated that sentiment in a Monday night statement. President Joe Biden…

Coffee Conversation: Julebyen Christmas Village Returns to Knife River This Weekend

Knife River, MN – The Julebyen Christmas Village is back this weekend, offering a festive experience in the heart of Knife River. The popular holiday event, taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Sunday, Dec. 8 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), celebrates a centuries-old Nordic tradition with ethnic foods, crafts, holiday decorations, and music. Festival…

4th Annual Holiday Decor Sale at Boulder Lake ELC

DULUTH, Minn.– Boulder Lake is also taking advantage of holiday sales by using materials on their property. For 4 years now, Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center has sold homemade wreathes, porch pots, and even kits to make your very own wreath. This is the largest fundraiser for that Boulder Lake hosts every year. They use freshly harvested material to create…

Biden Pardons Son Hunter Despite Previous Pledges Not To

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, on Sunday night, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family members. The Democratic president had previously said he would not pardon his…

Family Trying to Rebuild After Suspected Arsons Destroy Everything

A GoFundMe page has been set up for a family who lost their home in suspected Sawyer County arsons

DULUTH, Minn. – State and local officials continue to investigate a string of suspected arsons that is now up to six, while one family tries to rebuild. Rick and Jean Clark’s home in southwest Sawyer County was one of the first in a string of recent fires in the area, that authorities suspect are the results of arson. Their home,…

Santa and His Reindeer Arrive to Fitger’s

DULUTH, Minn. — With Thanksgiving being over, Christmas is just around the corner, and the Holiday Spirits were high at Fitger’s as Santa came to town today. Santa and his reindeers Comet and Cupid arrived to Fitger’s for the first time this Holiday season. A long line of families were waiting to get their picture taken with Saint Nick, and…

Black Friday Frenzy at Miller Hill Mall

DULUTH, Minn. — Black Friday shoppers flocked to stores for a day of big deals. Across the country shoppers hit the stores for Black Friday, and in Duluth, thousands roamed through the Miller Hill Mall looking for gifts for the holidays or just trying to snag some deals. The doors of the mall opened up at 6 a.m., so people…

19th Annual Gobble Gallop

DULUTH, Minn.– For 19 years Duluth Running Company has put on the Gobble Gallop. And this year, they had quite the turn out! Over 1,700 runners took on the annual Thanksgiving run. This is the largest turn out they’ve had since 2019. The younger runners participated in the Gobble Giddy up kids run, There was also the Tough Turkey 1…

Coffee Conversation: Author Trish Berger’s New Book, “Little Baby Santa”

DULUTH, Minn. — This morning on Fox 21’s Morning Newscast, author and illustrator Trish Berger joined us live in the studio to share her heartwarming new children’s book, Little Baby Santa. The interactive social-emotional learning book provides a unique learning experience for young readers, combining fun, creativity, and important life lessons. The book is available for purchase online and in…

Bong Center Gives Thanks for Veterans

With crowds growing over the years, the meal continues to bring servicemembers together

SUPERIOR, Wisc. -The Bong Historical Center gives thanks to veterans with a 7th year of Thanksgiving meals. From 30 to a few hundred; the Richard I Bong Center in Superior has grown their annual Thanksgiving meal with each year. With more attendees, the center gained support in feeding the larger crowds from local businesses like the Manitou Inn, and local…

American Red Cross Partners with First Responders on Battle of the Badges Blood Drives

DULUTH, Minn. — The American Red Cross is partnering with first responders to help make a difference for those in need of life-saving blood. It’s called the Battle of the Badges blood drive. It is a 2-day event where Duluth and Superior Police and Fire and the St. Louis and Douglas County Sheriff’s Departments will be taking part. It’s all…

Santa Arrives at the Miller Hill Mall

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas as Santa Claus has officially arrived at the Miller Hill Mall. The annual Santa Photo Experience has kicked off at the mall, where kids can get their picture taken with Saint Nick. Time slots can be booked ahead of time, but walk ups are also welcome. And as Christmas…

The DECC Preps for Thanksgiving

DULUTH, Minn.– With Thanksgiving being a day away, volunteers at the DECC is wasting no time with getting their meals squared away. After planning all year, the 1,540 Thanksgiving meals are being boxed up. They have quite the crew helping out this year, even booking out volunteer slots. The DECC has been feeding the Northland for 35 years. “We have…

Street into Morgan Park Still Closed After CN Rail Bridge Concerns

The road has been closed for nearly two months, after the CN bridge running over it was found to have "advanced deterioration"

DULUTH, Minn. – One of the only roads into the Morgan Park Neighborhood remains closed after a Canadian National-owned rail bridge was shut down due to “advanced deterioration” nearly two months ago. On October 4, city officials announced that an annual inspection of a CN-owned rail bridge of Idaho Street in West Duluth found “advanced deterioration” that made travel over…

Arson Suspected in String of 6 Sawyer County Fires

Sawyer County Sheriffs release surveillance video while appealing to public for information

DULUTH, Minn. – Sawyer County Sheriffs released a short surveillance video on Wednesday, showing an individual seen near one of the fire locations. Sawyer County Sheriffs are appealing to the public for information regarding a string of suspected arsons. Six structure fires were reported in the last week, all clustered near Exeland, Radisson, and Birchwood Townships. The first fires date…

CASDA Launches ‘Give the Gift of Healing’ Silent Auction

SUPERIOR, Wis.– In Superior, there’s an opportunity to help victims and survivors of abuse though the “Give the Gift of Healing” fundraiser. The virtual silent auction goes live on Black Friday. CASDA is a clinic in Superior that helps victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. Funds raised through this event will help support the shelter’s operations as they…

Chester Bowl Announces New Donation Match Opportunity For Chalet Renovations

DULUTH, Minn. — Chester Bowl has announced a donation match opportunity to help with the expansion and renovation of their Chalet. It’s part of the campaign Growing Up Chester. An anonymous donor who is looking to inspire giving in others, will now through January 15, 2025, match up to $50,000. That gives Chester 50 days to raise $50,000 through community…

AFSCME Rally Food and Fund Drive

DULUTH, Minn.– AFSCME union members collected food donations for Second Harvest Northland today outside Duluth city hall, while rallying for a fair contract with the city. AFSCME represents hundreds of City of Duluth employees. They have been calling for fair wages and better benefits and working conditions. Today’s rally came ahead of a meeting with city administration today. “You know…

Cannabis Ordinance Passes in St. Louis County

County Commissioners Prepare for Commercial Cannabis

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County is preparing for commercial cannabis, passing an ordinance establishing regulations at Tuesday’s meeting. County commissioners heard public comment Tuesday on Ordinance #68, which aims to regulate in-public use and create an infrastructure for zoning and licensing requirements of cannabis businesses. In a 6-1 vote, with Commissioner Ashley Grimm voting opposed, the “Cannabis Ordinance” will…

Officers Assaulted, Student Arrested After Fight At Denfeld High School

DULUTH, Minn. — A fight at Denfeld High School Tuesday ended with one student arrested and officers assaulted. A school resource officer responded to help staff members try to separate the students. During the chaotic scene, one staff member and two officers were assaulted, according to a police spokesperson. Three other staff members suffered the effects of a chemical irritant,…

Duluth Bridgeman’s Offering Thanksgiving Meals To-Go

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Bridgeman’s is once again offering Thanksgiving meals to go. A meal includes fresh baked turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, roasted vegetables, a dinner roll, and dessert. All meals are fully cooked and ready to reheat at home. These meals are great for those who don’t have somewhere to go or just don’t feel like cooking a whole…

Tim Walz Accepts Turkey Presentation As He Eases Back Into His Duties As Minnesota’s Governor

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — As feathers flew, Tim Walz accepted the symbolic presentation of a turkey Tuesday as he eases back into his duties as Minnesota’s governor following the Harris-Walz ticket’s defeat in the presidential election. Unlike the Minnesota-grown turkeys that President Joe Biden pardoned at the White House on Monday, Walz didn’t pardon this turkey, he said, “because in Minnesota we know…

Lincoln Park Middle School Students Learn About STEM Career Field

DULUTH, Minn. — An event inspiring students to look into a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math field took place on Monday. The Lincoln Park Middle School in Duluth hosted a STEMpathy Career Fair. 6th and 7th graders learned from local professionals about their career paths. Representatives from Essentia and Aspirus-St. Luke’s, a forensic scientist, and different engineering companies were in…

Cooking Connection: Chicken Wellington with Chef Chris at Ledge Rock Grille

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — If turkey isn’t your preferred choice for Thanksgiving, why not try Chicken Wellington instead? Fox 21’s Maria Vollom joined Chef Chris to prepare the dish at Ledge Rock Grille ahead of the holiday. The restaurant will be hosting a Thanksgiving buffet on Thursday, November 28, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Categories: Coffee Conversation, Cooking Connection, Minnesota,…

Coffee Conversation: Local Music Duo North of Montgomery Performs

Northland — The local musical duo North of Montgomery, featuring Ava and Kaleb, appeared live on Fox 21’s morning newscast on Tuesday, November 26, for an interview and performance. Stay connected with North of Montgomery on all social media platforms. Catch their next performance at SandRocks in Sandstone on December 5 at 6 PM. Categories: Coffee Conversation, Minnesota, News, News…

Judge Halts Lottery in Office of Cannabis Management Lawsuits

Lawsuits filed this weekend, against OCM, put another pause on the state's commercial cannabis industry

DULUTH, Minn. – Another roadblock, as Minnesota attempts to build a regulated commercial cannabis industry. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed the bill legalizing recreational marijuana in May of 2023, and by that fall, individual use for adults 21 and older, went into effect. Attempts to get the commercial industry off the ground, however, by the state’s regulatory body, the Office…

Former Duluth Youth Pastor Sentenced in 2 of 5 Cases

Jackson Michael Gatlin pled guilty to sexual assaulting children, while he served as a youth pastor from the Duluth Vineyard Church

DULUTH, Minn. -A former youth pastor for Duluth’s Vineyard Church, was sentenced to 13 years in prison Monday, after entering a guilty plea earlier this month. Jackson Michael Gatlin, 36, of Duluth, was a former youth pastor for Vineyard Church, where he sexually assaulted five girls from the congregation. On Monday, Gatlin was sentenced to 13 years in prison in…

CHUM Distributes Thanksgiving Boxes

DULUTH, Minn.– For over a decade, CHUM has pitched in to help as many people as possible to make sure they have a Thanksgiving meal they deserve. For the season of giving, CHUM has prepared 100 Thanksgiving boxes filled with all of the essentials. There are favorites such as the turkey itself, stuffing, potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce and even…

Is Outlook Down? Thousands Of Microsoft 365 Users Report Outage Issues

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of Microsoft 365 customers worldwide reported having issues with services like Outlook and Teams on Monday. In social media posts and comments on platforms like outage tracker Downdetector, some impacted said that they were having trouble seeing their emails, loading calendars or opening other Microsoft 365 applications such as Powerpoint. Microsoft acknowledged “an issue impacting users…

Joe Biden Begins Final White House Holiday Season With Turkey Pardons For ‘Peach’ And ‘Blossom’

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden kicked off his final holiday season at the White House on Monday by issuing the traditional reprieve to two turkeys who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in southern Minnesota. The 82-year-old president welcomed 2,500 guests to the South Lawn under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach”…