News

Wisconsin Braces for Election Day, Trump Plans Final Stop

(Angela Major/The Janesville Gazette via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin is bracing for an Election Day unlike any other, with record numbers of votes recorded before polls opened on Tuesday and President Donald Trump planning one last campaign stop as he tries to duplicate his 2016 victory. Voters said Monday they were nervous not only about Election Day but…

Midday Update 11-2-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, Nov. 2, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, November 2

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 153,620 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Monday morning and 9 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,484 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,905,229 tests have been completed to date. There are 132,125 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 10,437 patients have required hospitalization…

Virtual 5k Trail Rivet Run Raising Funds for Superior Ski Trail Maintenance

The Virtual 5k Trail Rivet Run Will End on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The 2020 Virtual 5k Rivet Run/Walk is happening now through Sunday, Nov. 8. The fundraising event is taking place virtually this year to help limit the spread of COVID-19. The Rivet Run/Walk series raises money for the ski trails at Pattison State Park in Superior, Wis. Participants have until Nov. 8 to finish the virtual race, and…

Morning Update 11-2-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, Nov. 2, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News

Confirmed Cases of the Coronavirus Top 150,000 in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Minnesota has topped 150,000, according to data released Sunday by the state Department of Health. The update showed an increase of 2,217 positive tests for COVID-19 and 18 deaths in the last day. Health officials have reported a total of 150,672 cases since the start of the pandemic….

Stillwater Prison Inmate Dies of Coronavirus Complications

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Another inmate has died of coronavirus complications at a state prison in Minnesota. A 61-year-old inmate at the Stillwater prison died at the facility Sunday, authorities said. The man had existing medical conditions and tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 20, according to prison officials. The inmate was taken to a hospital on Saturday, evaluated, and released…

Temporary Heating Fix at St. Regis Apts. Doesn’t Mean Tenants Can Return Yet

Management says they got the furnace running for now while continuing help tenants find somewhere new to live.

DULUTH, Minn.- Representatives for the St. Regis Apartments in Downtown Duluth tells us they’ve temporarily fixed the heating system there after nearly a dozen families were forced to leave when it broke down in October. Owner Eric Ringsred, also prior owner of the former Kozy Building, submitted plans to replace everything with a new system, but recently found out the…

Former Kozy Owner: Sunday’s Fire Won’t Stop Fight with City to Avoid Demolition

Fire happens one week after DEDA proposed $135,000 to maintain building.

DULUTH, Minn.- Sunday morning Duluth Fire crews found what has become a familiar scene on First Street — a fire at the historic Pastoret Terrace Building, old home of the Kozy Bar and Apartments. “I heard one of the firetrucks go by and I heard a big boom,” said nearby resident Shawn Carr. “You hear gunshots once in a while…

Iron River Businesses Make Most Out of Unprecedented 2020 Tourism Season

IRON RIVER, Wis.– As the 2020 tourism season comes to a close, it’s certainly been an unpredictable year for businesses around the Northland. Over in northwestern Wisconsin, some businesses have been making the most out of a tough situation. Iron River businesses have had to navigate through a tourism season unlike any other due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Jim’s Meat…

Lot Where Historic Synagogue Burned to Become Parking Lot

DULUTH, Minn.– It’s been a little more than a year since a historic downtown Duluth synagogue burned to the ground. The fire last September displaced a congregation that’s been around for 118 years at the Adas Israel Synagogue on the corner of 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue East. Last week, nearby St. Ann’s residence purchased the lot for just under…

Condemned Kozy Building Starts on Fire — Again

The cause of the fire remained under investigation Sunday.

DULUTH, Minn. — The condemned Kozy building in downtown Duluth went up in flames again Sunday. The Duluth Fire Department got the call for a structure fire around 9:50 a.m. at 129 East 1st Street. When crews arrived, thick smoke was coming from the second floor of the building. Fire crews on scene Sunday morning after fire broke out at…

DFL Leaders Urge Early Voting at Enger Park

DULUTH, Minn.– Over 25,000 Duluthians have already voted early. With 600 casting ballots just yesterday, state and local officials on Saturday encouraged people to get out to the polls. DFL leaders and candidates met supporters at Enger Park Saturday morning to go over different ways to people can vote. They say with Tuesday so close, early voters should drop off…

Denfeld Halloween Favorite Becomes Disneyland for a Night

DULUTH, Minn.– One Duluth house has been a must stop in the Denfeld area on Halloween every year. This year, that tradition continued in a magical way. Going with a Disney theme this year, the house welcomed trick or treaters on Halloween night featured an appearance from the big man or rodent himself, Mickey Mouse. Besides passing out candy, Mickey…

First Trunk-Or-Treat Held in Canal Park

DULUTH, Minn.– Trick or treating may look a bit different this year due to the pandemic but there are still some ways kids are able to get their hands on some candy. Neighborhood Youth Services hosted their first ever trunk-or-treat event down in Canal Park. Organizations and community members popped open their trunks to give kids some sweets. Masks needed…

Fitger’s Celebrates Halloween with Socially Distant Storytelling, Candy

Only a few people at a time were allowed into the courtyard, masks were required and individual bags of candy were handed out. 

DULUTH, Minn.- Fitger’s Complex in Duluth also got in the Halloween spirit, hosting a socially distant event in their courtyard, decked out all spooky. Individual bags of candy were handed out, and a kids could listen into a Halloween story being read. Only a few people at a time were allowed into the courtyard, masks were required and individual bags…

Bong Center Adds New Exhibits, Events

SUPERIOR, Wis.– After months on no indoor events, the Bong Center in Superior is announcing plans for future events. The center added a couple new World War II mini-exhibits on trench art and stories from a woman who was in a prison camp in Europe during the conflict. Museum guests can still hear stories from veterans over Zoom. Along with…

Piedmont Elementary Launches Weather Balloon

DULUTH, Minn.– The Northland weather is always unpredictable but one group of elementary students had a pretty cool way to try and make sense of the conditions. With the help of St. Louis County, Essentia Health, and others, students at Piedmont Elementary got to spend their Friday researching from the sky. Piedmont students launched a weather balloon into the air…

Drive-In Movie Caps Off Superior Spooktacular

SUPERIOR, Wis.– As people around the Northland are getting ready to celebrate Halloween, tonight they got to enjoy a Spooktacular tradition. The Superior Spooktacular continued with a drive-in movie. With a limit of 45 spaces, vehicles pulled up to watch Hocus Pocus. Concessions were being served at World of Wheels. Organizers say it’s still a great way to get stay…

COVID-19 Won’t Stop Glensheen’s ‘Spirt of the Lights’ Experience

The display started over at Park Point Resident Marcia Hale's home where they shined for more than 20 years in her backyard.

DULUTH, Minn. – COVID-19 isn’t stopping Glensheen’s “Spirit of the Lights” display from coming back for a second year. The display started over at Park Point Resident Marcia Hale’s home where they shined for more than 20 years in her backyard. Due to COVID, they won’t be able to give out cookies and cider like last year, but those at…

Doctors Warn Against Trick-Or-Treating

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention considers trick-or-treating a higher risk activity warning it should be avoided to prevent the spread of the virus.

DULUTH, Minn. – Halloween is just around the corner and it certainly will look much different this year due to COVID-19. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention considers trick-or-treating a higher risk activity warning it should be avoided to prevent the spread of the virus. Normally Halloween eager kids go up and down Tower Avenue in Superior with costumes…

Deer Season License Purchases Higher than Last Year

Youth season numbers are up 11 percent and early firearm sales are up 19 percent so far compared to last year.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Minnesota’s deer hunting season opener is about one week away and the Department of Natural Resources says early license purchases are higher than last year. Youth season numbers are up 11 percent and early firearm sales are up 19 percent so far compared to last year. The DNR says hunting is generally considered a COVID-safe activity but…

Hi Banks Resort Getting Ready for Ice Fishing Season

Just this week, some ice was spotted on Fish Lake in Duluth near Hi Banks Resort.

DULUTH, Minn. – As the weather is finally getting colder, Hi Banks Resort in Duluth is getting ready for the ice fishing season. Just this week, some ice was spotted on Fish Lake in Duluth where Hi Banks is located. Owner Tim Wagner who’s owned Hi Banks for 18 years says it’ll still be a while with less windy and…

Mesabi Preschool Academy Collects Items for Food Shelf

In the past years, the preschool has donated about 80 to 100 pounds to the food shelf on Halloween. 

DULUTH, Minn. – About a dozen spooky preschoolers went trick-or-treating in downtown Duluth for a good cause. Students with the Mesabi Preschool Academy walked around the fifth floor of the Tech Village on Superior Street collecting non-perishable food items. Those items will all be donated to the Proctor Food Shelf. Staff with the academy say, the kids are excited about…

Dressed-Up Pets: Canal Bark Hosts Costume Contest

Dogs throughout the Northland are encouraged to dress up and celebrate the Halloween festivities for Canal Bark's pet costume contest. 

DULUTH, Minn. – Dogs throughout the Northland are encouraged to dress up and celebrate the Halloween festivities for Canal Bark’s pet costume contest. If you have a dog, take pictures of your pet in a fall October Halloween costume and put them on Canal Bark’s Facebook or send them via Instagram. “It’s a really awesome stress reliever for us,” said…

Superior Street Reconstruction Project to Continue Into Next Year

Phase Three of the Superior Street Reconstruction Project will now be continuing next year after it was expected to be completed this fall. 

DULUTH, Minn. – Phase Three of the Superior Street Reconstruction Project will now be continuing next year after it was expected to be completed this fall. Phase three consists of the three-block section from Lake Avenue to Third Avenue West, which includes a new street, underground utilities, sidewalks and lighting. With the winter looming, temporary asphalt will be put on…

Get Your Ballot Counted: Appeals Court Rules Mail-In Ballots Arriving After Election Day Could Be Invalidated

The Minnesota Secretary of State says it's too late to mail in your ballot if you want to make sure your vote counts. After an appeals court ruling that says mail-in ballots arriving after election day could be invalidated, local election judges are scrambling making sure voters know these new rules. 

ST. LOUIS COUNTY – The Minnesota Secretary of State says it’s too late to mail in your ballot if you want to make sure your vote counts. After an appeals court ruling that says mail-in ballots arriving after election day could be invalidated, local election judges are scrambling making sure voters know these new rules. Leaders from the City of…

Duluth School District Extends Hybrid, Distance Learning Through End of Year

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District announced on Friday that Duluth Public Schools will continue with the current learning models through the end of December. Currently, elementary schools are in a hybrid learning model while secondary and middle schools are in a distance learning model. In a recent press release, the district said the decision was made due to…

Minnesota Virus Cases, Hospitalizations at Single-Day Record

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials Friday reported a single-day high of 3,165 new coronavirus infections, with 18 deaths. The state also reported 738 hospitalizations, another single-day high, with 176 people in intensive care. States around the country are struggling with rising cases of the coronavirus. Despite the rising hospitalizations, Dr. Rahul Koranne of the Minnesota Hospital Association told the…

St. Ann’s Purchases Lot of Former Adas Israel Synagogue

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Ann’s Residence has purchased the lot of the former Adas Israel Synagogue according to St. Ann’s Executive Director Scott Johnson. The historic building located on the corner of 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue East was the oldest Jewish Orthodox congregation in Duluth. The building burned down in a fire last September. Johnson says St. Ann’s plans…

Midday Update 10-30-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, Oct. 30, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, October 30

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 145,465 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Friday morning and 18 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,437 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,803,338 tests have been completed to date. There are 125,052 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 10,119 patients have required hospitalization…

U.S. Steel ‘Evaluating Potential Restart of Keetac’ by End of Year

KEEWATIN, Minn. – U.S. Steel says they are “evaluating a potential restart of Keetac by year-end.” The site has sat idle since May of this year due to the coronavirus pandemic leaving over 300 workers still without a job. “We continue to evaluate the timing around a potential restart of Keetac. Seasonality is a part of that decision process,” a…

Walmart Removes Guns, Ammunition on Display at U.S. Stores

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart says it has removed ammunition and firearms from displays at its U.S. stores, citing “civil unrest” in some areas. The nation’s largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, sells firearms in about half of its 4,700 stores. “We have seen some isolated civil unrest and as we have done on several occasions over the last few…

Illinois Judge to Rule on Rittenhouse Extradition to Kenosha

CHICAGO (AP) — The mother of a 17-year-old accused of killing two demonstrators in Kenosha, Wisconsin, is among those slated to testify at a hearing in Illinois to decide if her son should be extradited across the border to stand trial on homicide charges. During Friday’s hearing, Kyle Rittenhouse’s lawyers also planned to call an expert on self-defense and former…

Minnesota SOS: Too Late to Mail Ballots — but Not to Vote

If you still have an absentee ballot at home you must drop it off by hand to an election office or official drop box

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota’s secretary of state said Thursday it’s too late for voters to mail back their absentee ballots if they want to make sure their votes count after an appeals court ruling indicated that mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day are at risk of being invalidated. A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled…

Elks Lodge Makes Donation for Socktoberfest

SUPERIOR, Wis.– With the winter months getting closer, one Superior organization is offering their support to help people stay warm. The Superior Elks Lodge 403 donated over $1,700 dollars to Socktoberfest of Superior. That money will go towards getting more socks for those in need. After already clearing their yearly goal of collecting 1,000 pairs of socks, organizers say it…

Youth In Action Hosts Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Get your decorating skills ready! Youth in Action is hosting a pumpkin decorating contest, which lasts till Halloween.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY – Get your decorating skills ready! Youth in Action is hosting a pumpkin decorating contest, which lasts till Halloween. Typically, the organization does a kind of Halloween party at a community center or partners with schools, but this year, because of COVID, the staff decided to do something that is both safe and friendly for all ages….

Senators Smith, Klobuchar Campaign at UMD as Election Day Approaches

DULUTH, Minn.– As Election Day draws near the two presidential candidates aren’t the only ones out on the trail looking to rally voters ahead of Tuesday’s election. Minnesota’s two Democratic senators were out in Duluth hoping to energize their base today. With 1.5 million votes already cast for the 2020 election in Minnesota, Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar were…

You Can “Spoil” Your Mailed Ballot And Vote In-Person If You’re Worried It Won’t Make It In Time

MINNESOTA — With the latest court ruling that Minnesota absentee ballots that are mailed in will not be accepted past 8 p.m. on November 3rd, voters who have already dropped their ballots in the mailbox may worry that it won’t arrive in time to be counted. However, there is a way to find out if your ballot has been counted….

Superior Homes Turn Spooky For Halloween

SUPERIOR – The city of Superior is showing signs of horror throughout the community these days with homes turning into haunted houses. Some of the decorated homes are very elaborate and part of a “Haunt Your House” contest with Superior Spooktacular. You can check out the entries on Facebook. The entry with the most “likes” will win People’s Choice. Below…

Animal Allies Stresses Importance of Microchipping Your Pet at Free Event

Staff at Animal Allies say if you still need to microchip your pet, give them a call and set up an appointment at their clinic. 

DULUTH, Minn- Another free opportunity to get your pet microchipped was hosted by Animal Allies Thursday outside the Damiano Center in Duluth. Animal experts say no matter how cold it may be for you, your pet may still try to get out and the microchip is the number one way to locate them quickly. “All times of year animals they…

Rambler Food Truck Helps Life House Collect Winter Supply Donations

The food truck gave free food to anyone who donated coats, socks, hats, gloves, or toiletries like toothpaste, body wash, or deodorant. 

DULUTH, Minn.- On the last day of their season, the Northland’s Rambler Food Truck, decided to lend a hand to a local winter supply drive. The food truck parked outside of Life House in Downtown Duluth, giving free food to anyone who donates coats, socks, hats, gloves, or toiletries like toothpaste, body wash, or deodorant. Rambler staff say before they…

Record-Breaking Growth in COVID-19 Cases Causing Concern in Northland

St. Louis County Health Officials said in the last two months, half of the county's coronavirus cases have been a result of community spread.

DULUTH, Minn.- As the state of Minnesota reported their highest daily COVID-19 case amount since the pandemic began City of Duluth officials, St. Louis County Public Health, School leaders and top doctors from St. Luke’s and Essentia say that upward trend is visible in the Twin Ports as well. Since Wednesday, St. Louis County is reporting a record jump of…