News

Duluth Police: Man Pulled Gun During Argument at Dunkin Donuts

According to Police two males got into a verbal argument inside Dunkin Donuts, and one man left to get a firearm from his car before leaving.

DULUTH, Minn.- One man is in custody, according to the Duluth Police Department, after pulling a firearm on another man during an argument at a Dunkin Donuts. A spokesperson with the Department said around 11 a.m. Saturday officers responded to a report of a person with a gun at the Dunkin Donuts on Central Entrance Road. According to the spokesperson,…

The Second Presidential Debate Is Officially Off

The decision comes one day after it was announced the debate would be held virtually.

WASHINGTON (AP) – The second presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden is officially being scrapped. The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates confirmed Friday the October 15 faceoff is no longer happening. This decision comes one day after the commission announced the debate would take place virtually due to President Trump’s diagnoses with the Coronavirus. Trump resisted…

Spirit Mountain Begins Selling Season Passes

The resort has the goal of opening in late November depending on the weather. 

DULUTH, Minn. – Spirit Mountain is gearing up for the skiing season. The ski hill has opened up eligibility to purchase season passes for the winter. After shutting down for the entire summer season due to the pandemic, management says that they have a plan for the hill in place and are ready to re-open. “We’re really excited to be…

Harbor House Adds Permanent Housing for Homeless

The Tabitha Apartments on Harris street in Superior recently announced they are opening up four rooms.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Superior now has more options for permanent housing for the homeless. The Tabitha Apartments on Harris street in Superior recently announced they are opening up four rooms. Although residents still haven’t moved in yet, directors of the organization say this is a big step in reducing the homeless population in the community. “We’re just trying to help…

Trump Supporters Protest Mayor Larson at City Hall

DULUTH, Minn.– Last week, a group of Trump supporters drove down the street of Duluth Mayor Emily Larson’s home after her remarks calling President Trump a ‘white supremacist.’ This time, they are voicing their frustrations at City Hall. A group of people gathered at Duluth City Hall Friday to protest Mayor Larson’s statement regarding the line of cars that drove…

Items Needed for Pet Supplies Drive

Two local businesses are partnering to provide pet supplies to those who need them.

DULUTH, Minn. – Two local businesses are partnering to provide pet supplies to those who need them. Canal Bark along with Anytime Fitness in West Duluth are putting together a pet supplies drive and accepting donations throughout the month of October. Things like dog food, medical supplies, cat litter, or anything else considered essential are encouraged. “It’s super important just…

One Person Is Dead In An Officer-involved Shooting On I-35 In Pine County

PINE COUNTY, Minn. – One person is dead after an officer-involved shooting that happened on I-35 in Pine County around 2 p.m. on Friday. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says the shooting took place in the northbound lanes nearby the Mora exit along the interstate. Autorities say at about 1:45 p.m. on Friday, law enforcement responded to a 911…

COVID-19 Cases Spike In Itasca County

The Itasca County Health Department is reporting an uncontrolled level of COVID spread due to largely formal and informal gatherings that they deemed unsafe.

ITASCA COUNTY – The Itasca County Health Department is reporting an uncontrolled level of COVID spread due to largely formal and informal gatherings that they deemed unsafe. Itasca County has almost doubled the amount of COVID cases that it has had compared to less than a month ago. There are currently 539 cases and now Grand Rapids Senior High School…

College of St. Scholastica Implements New Protocols

Colleges have been back in session for about a month and as the pandemic continues, one of them is changing some of its protocols after seeing an uptick in coronavirus cases.

DULUTH, Minn. – Colleges have been back in session for about a month and as the pandemic continues, one of them is changing some of its protocols after seeing an uptick in coronavirus cases. Changes have begun at the College of St. Scholastica after the school saw a rise in COVID cases. Right now, the college makes decisions based on…

The Latest: Trump Plans to Hold in-Person Event on Saturday

WASHINGTON (AP) – On Saturday, President Donald Trump is planning to hold his first in-person event since testing positive for the coronavirus. Two weeks after the Rose Garden event that is now considered a “superspreader,” Trump is planning to convene another large crowd outside the White House for an event on “law and order.” That’s despite the ongoing White House…

Nashwauk Man Sentenced to 105 Months for Criminal Vehicular Homicide

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – A Nashwauk man charged with fatally hitting a two-year-old boy and injuring his teenaged aunt with his truck last August appeared in court for his sentencing Friday. 40-year-old Jake Michael Place was sentenced to 105 months in prison, the maximum sentence under the law. Place pleaded guilty in March to criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, October 9

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 109,312 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Friday morning and 14 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,121 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,256,165 tests have been completed to date. There are 97,715 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 8,251 patients have required hospitalization…

Midday Update 10-9-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, Oct. 9, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News

Essentia Health Offering Saturday Mammography Clinics in October

Doctors Urge Women to Make Regular Mammograms Part of Your Lifelong Health Care Routine

DULUTH, Minn. – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While routine medical exams should be a part of your routine, medical experts at Essentia Health in Duluth are taking the month to offer quality-care to those in need. Doctors say routine screening mammograms can help your provider detect breast cancer before you have symptoms. Diagnostic mammograms help identify cancer after…

Suspect, 16, Arrested After Ely Teen Rescued From Ravine With Stab Wounds

ELY, Minn. – The Ely Police Department says a 16-year-old suspect has been arrested after a 13-year-old male was found injured down a ravine Thursday afternoon. According to police, officers were dispatched to the area of 800 Miners Drive around 3:30 p.m. on a medical call after a hiker called 911 to report that someone appeared to have fallen down…

Morning Update 10-9-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, Oct. 9, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News

Pence to Visit Waukesha as Wisconsin Coronavirus Cases Soar

WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence plans to make a campaign stop Tuesday at a manufacturing company in the Milwaukee suburb of Waukesha, the Trump campaign announced Thursday. Pence will speak at Weldall Manufacturing, which does large-scale fabrication work. Doors open at 10 a.m. Tuesday for the noon event. While President Donald Trump remains sidelined as he recovers from COVID-19,…

University of Minnesota Alters Spring Break for 5 Campuses

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The University of Minnesota is changing spring break plans at its five campuses because of the coronavirus. University leaders are moving the weeklong vacation from March to April for Twin Cities and Rochester students and spreading the days across the semester for those attending in Duluth, Morris, and Crookston, the Star Tribune reported. In addition, university officials…

Taconite Dust Compensation For Superior Homeowners Scaled Back

SUPERIOR, Wis. – After decades of compensation for taconite dust in the air, many homeowners in Superior won’t be getting a yearly check from the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad to clean the dust off their homes anymore. The dust comes from BSNF’s taconite processing facility in the Allouez neighborhood. Superior City Councilor Jenny Van Sickle says about 200 homes…

Insure Duluth Offering Free Health Insurance Help

DULUTH, Minn.– With open enrollment for MNsure coming up next month, one Duluth organization is helping to make sure people are insured. Especially while the pandemic goes on. Insure Duluth has always been stationed inside the library, but the group is now helping people outside on Tuesdays and Thursdays while the building is closed. MNsure navigators give people free information…

Duluth Workforce Development Program Looking to Help Recently Laid Off DECC Employees

DULUTH, Minn. — After the DECC announced earlier this week that the roughly 400 employees it furloughed are now permanently laid off, the city of Duluth’s Workforce Development Program wants to help those former workers find new opportunities. The program can first connect Duluth residents to emergency assistance, such as healthcare, housing, and making sure services like heat aren’t turned…

Mayor Larson Urges for Second Round of Federal Stimulus Aid

DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth Mayor Emily Larson is urging everyone from President Trump to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to pass a second stimulus bill sooner than later. “It’s not just about making sure cities are somehow made whole by our revenue shortages. It’s not just about getting paycheck protection programs to businesses,” said Larson. “It’s about a stimulus…

New Art Exhibit at UWS Explores Struggles With Alcoholism

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A new exhibit is now showing in the Kruk Art Gallery at The University of Wisconsin-Superior. The exhibition called Aqua Vitae features the work of two artists exploring their own struggles with alcoholism. The visual imagery also looks deeper into the triggers and the problematic relationships these artists have had with alcohol. “I think it’s really fascinating…

Mike’s Western Cafe Closes After Nearly Four Decades

"I met so many nice people. I met fishing buddies, golfing buddies, and bowling buddies. It's really been a fun experience," said Mike Pracher, the owner of Mike's Western Cafe.

DULUTH, Minn. – A hometown restaurant in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood is closing its doors after nearly 40 years in business. Mike’s Western Cafe has lasted through multiple generations of many in the Lincoln Park Community. Those who have come to love the local restaurant will now have to say farewell. Mike Pracher, the owner of Mike’s Western Cafe, has…

Principal’s Week Highlights Leaders of Local Schools

As the school year continues, educators are being confronted with issues they've never seen before due to the pandemic, and this week, it is Principal's Week all throughout Minnesota where the state celebrates the leaders of these schools who are helping adapt to those changes.

DULUTH, Minn. – As the school year continues, educators are being confronted with issues they’ve never seen before due to the pandemic, and this week, it is principal’s week all throughout Minnesota where the state celebrates the leaders of these schools who are helping adapt to those changes. Whether it be communicating with staff and families or navigating changes in…

Duluth Library Foundation Receives Grant for School Readiness

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Library Foundation received a grant today going towards a city-wide library led school initiative called “Every Child Ready Duluth.” The grant is from the Lloyd K. Johnson foundation for $25,000. Those funds will be used to help reduce Duluth’s opportunity gap especially when it comes to kids getting ready for kindergarten. “We’ve been getting batches…

Minnesota Man Cited After Assaulting Reporter Near Trump Rally

(Facebook/Duluth Police Department) DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Attorney announced on Thursday that a citation has been issued to the Minnesota man caught on video assaulting a reporter near the Trump rally held at the Duluth International Airport last week. According to a recent press release from the city, 70-year-old Duane Waldriff, of Lamberton, was cited with misdemeanor assault…

Minnesota Loosens Bar Rules Put in Place for the Coronavirus

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials on Thursday reported the second-highest number of daily COVID-19 hospital admissions, on the same day the state loosened regulations in bars and restaurants. Updated guidelines permit as many as 10 people seated together in restaurants and event spaces, up from four or six if they were members of a single household. Live music will…

St. Scholastica Hosts Virtual 2020 Homecoming

The events kick off on Thursday with a virtual 5k. 

DULUTH, Minn. – The College of Saint Scholastica will be having a different variation of homecoming this year. Due to the pandemic, the school will be hosting a virtual homecoming. The events begins on Thursday with a virtual 5K. For a list of full events and schedules, click here:  Saint Scholastica Homecoming     Categories: Community, Minnesota, News Tags: 2020, Homecoming,…

13 Charged in Plots Against Michigan Government

DETROIT (AP) — Michigan’s attorney general has charged seven people with plotting to target law enforcement and attack the state Capitol building. The announcement comes after six others were charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at her vacation home in reaction to what they viewed as her “uncontrolled power,” according to a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday…

Sweetly Spooktacular Treats with Sweet Exchange Bakery

Cooking Connection: Halloween Cake Pops with Sweet Exchange

DULUTH, Minn. – Halloween is right around the corner, and it’ll no doubt look a little different in the amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Lisa Quarles, owner of Sweet Exchange, says she’s worried about the children in the community not getting to trick-or-treat, or do some of the traditional activities associated with Halloween. She’s offering up a unique experience that can…

Midday Update 10-8-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update

6 People Charged in Plot to Kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer

(Michigan Office of the Governor via AP, File) DETROIT (AP) — Six people plotted to try to kidnap Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at her vacation home, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday in federal court. According to CNN, Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris, and Brandon Caserta were charged in the Western District of…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, October 8

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 107,922 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday morning and 8 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,107 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,224,194 tests have been completed to date. There are 97,254 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 8,187 patients have required hospitalization…

Nonprofit Preserves 2,000 Acres in Superior National Forest

TOFTE, Minn. (AP) — More than 2,000 acres of private land deep in the heart of the Superior National Forest will remain undeveloped. The nonprofit Nature Conservancy said it purchased the land this week from retired forestry professor Mike Freed. The land near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness near Tofte in Cook County includes six wilderness lakes and 3…

Morning Update 10-8-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update

US Layoffs Remain Elevated as 840,000 Seek Jobless Aid

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell slightly last week to a still-high 840,000, evidence that job cuts remain elevated seven months into the pandemic recession. The latest sign of a flagging recovery comes two days after President Donald Trump cut off talks over a new rescue aid package that economists say is urgently needed for…

Trump Vows Not to Participate in Virtual Debate With Biden

According to the Commission on Presidential Debates, the decision was made to protect the health and safety of all involved.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he won’t participate in next week’s debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden if it’s virtual. Debate organizers announced Thursday that the debate would be virtual because of Trump’s diagnosis of COVID-19. The Commission on Presidential Debates made the announcement a week before Trump and Biden were scheduled to face off in Miami. It…

Duluth Cider’s “Big Bad Apple Bash” Goes Virtual with Take-Home Celebration Boxes

Customers are encouraged to enjoy the boxes while watching the livestream on Duluth Cider's Facebook page Saturday at 7 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn.- A popular cider in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood is celebrating its “Big Bad Apple Bash” anniversary with a virtual event Saturday. Last year’s Big Bad Apple Bash celebrated the first year Duluth Cider was open. This year, fans are encouraged to stop by the cidery on West Superior Street before Saturday to purchase a Big Bad Apple Bash…

Fitger’s Awarded ‘Best Place to Work’ by Minnesota Retailers Assoc.

Every year they award one recipient based on treatment of employees and the overall work environment.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Northland’s own Fitger’s on the Lake was recognized as the Best Retail Place to Work in the state of Minnesota in 2020. The award comes from the Minnesota Retailers Association. Every year they award one recipient based on treatment of employees and the overall work environment. The president and owner of Fitger’s said it’s an honor to…

Kids Learn to Skate for Free With Superior Amateur Hockey Association

At least 40 kids were out on the ice Wednesday, inching along behind their chairs. 

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The ice at the Superior Ice Arena is now open, but on Wednesday it was filled not only with skates, but chairs supporting small skaters, as the Superior Amateur Hockey Association (SAHA) taught kids how to skate. “I like skating,” said one 5-year-old beginner, Hillary Davis. SAHA delayed starting their free learn-to-skate program this year due to the…

Family, Friends Remember Apple Fest Founder

"Jim was a huge inspirational character in this area. Just missing him drive by and waving. It was a kind of a daily routine."

Credit: Erickson Orchards & Country Store BAYFIELD, Wisc. –  For the first time in decades, the Apple Fest didn’t happen last weekend, but crowds still showed up for some of the usual activities. “It was great. The people that came here were fantastic,” Erickson Orchards Owner, Fred Erickson says. Instead of the usual vendors setting up booths downtown, visitors ventured…

Free Flowers Given to Teachers

Teachers are being celebrated all this week at a local florist as they celebrate World Teacher's Day.

DULUTH, Minn. – Teachers are being celebrated all this week at a local florist as they celebrate World Teacher’s Day. In honor of this special day, Engwall Floral Design is providing free flowers for these essential workers through October 10th. Teachers can come to the shop on Hermantown Road and receive fresh bouquets by showing their school ID. “I think…

Gov. Evers Activates Additional Hospital Space as Hospitalizations Rise

MADISON, Wis.– Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has activated a field hospital at the state fairgrounds. This is expected to be opened within the next week, this creates room for an additional 530 patients. Right now more than 800 patients are hospitalized, compared to last month’s total of 283. There’s also been a 27 percent increase in patients admitted to the…

Gov. Walz Hosts COVID Roundtable with St. Louis County Public Health Official

ST. PAUL, Minn.– Governor waltz held a roundtable in St. Paul today, bringing local officials together to talk about the state’s fight against COVID-19. That conversation included one health expert from St. Louis County. St. Louis County Public Health Division Director Amy Westbrook was down in St. Paul Wednesday afternoon to meet with Governor Tim Walz for a roundtable discussion…