News

The Lake Superior Zoo Hosts Annual “Community Day”

The Duluth "Community Days" are celebrated by other tourist attractions such as the Great Lakes Aquarium and the Duluth Depot.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Zoo hosted it’s annual Community Day to say thank you to Duluthians and other supporters of the popular tourist attraction. Visitors received the great perk of free admission to explore the zoo. They had the chance to learn more about their nearly 150 species of animals and also a few new additions like Taj…

Congressman Pete Stauber Meets With Duluth School Board To Discuss Special Education Challenges

DULUTH, Minn. – Special education needs in public schools have risen drastically over the years, not just in Minnesota, but nationally. Congressman Pete Stauber sat down with the Duluth School Board to hear some of the special education challenges impacting our schools. Funding to support special education needs was promised long ago by the federal government to help offset costs,…

NorShor Theatre Board Discussing Upcoming Garrison Keillor Performance Amid Backlash

DULUTH, Minn. – Just hours after the NorShor Theatre posted on its Facebook page Thursday about the April performance by former MPR “A Prairie Home Companion” host Garrison Keillor, the post was pulled down and the show’s ticket information was removed from the NorShor’s website amid backlash on social media. There was no official word of the show being canceled,…

Essentia Health Purchases Former Miller Hill Mall Sears Location

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health announced Thursday afternoon that they have purchased the former Sears location at Miller Hill Mall. Essentia Health made the announcement Thursday afternoon in a press release saying, “The acquisition will allow the Northland’s largest health care provider to offer a variety of services to its patients at a convenient location. Several options are being considered…

Dehumidifiers Recalled for being a Fire Hazard

Fire officials want you to check your dehumidifier as some are being recalled as a fire hazard..

DULUTH, Minn. – Fire officials want you to check your dehumidifier as some are being recalled as a fire hazard. Even though the winter has made our air more dry. Some people are still using dehumidifiers because Duluth is a wet city that can leave basements damp. Fire officials discovered 14 recalled units in the field that are still in…

Shrimp Scampi Roma A Favorite At Valentini’s

COOKING CONNECTION: Valentini's Hermantown

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — In this week’s Cooking Connection Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot heads up the hill to Valentini’s newest location. Their kitchen manager has been there for years and shows us how to make their popular and loved Italian menu item, Shrimp Scampi Roma! ABOUT: Authentic Italian food, memorable events, and exceptional service have defined Valentini’s for over 80 years….

Roger Stone Sentenced to 40 Months in Prison

WASHINGTON (AP) – Roger Stone, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison on his convictions for witness tampering and lying to Congress. Thursday’s action in federal court comes amid Trump’s unrelenting defense of his longtime confidant that has led to a mini-revolt inside the Justice Department and allegations the president has interfered…

Midday Update 2-20-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, February 20, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, February 20, 2020. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Recycling Plant Fire Burns for 3rd Day in Minnesota

(courtesy: Fox 9) BECKER, Minn. (AP) – Firefighters are battling a stubborn fire at a metal recycling plant in a small Minnesota community for a third consecutive day. The fire at the Northern Metals plant in Becker is unleashing noxious, billowing smoke. Firefighters on Thursday worked to extinguish the blaze in the Sherburne County city about 50 miles northwest of…

Air Force: Madison Preferred Location for F-35 Fighter Jets

MADISON, Wis. – The U.S. Air Force says Madison’s Truax Field is the preferred location for the next squadron of F-35 fighter jets despite some negative environmental impacts. The Air Force’s study finds that about 1,019 households would be impacted by average daily noise levels about 65 decibels, which is considered incompatible with residential areas. The study also found the…

Morning Update 2-20-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, February 20, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, February 20, 2020. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

St. Paul Man Dies on Lutsen Ski Hill

LUTSEN, Minn. (AP) – Sheriff’s officials say a St. Paul man has died on a ski hill in northeastern Minnesota. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office says 70-year-old David Skog was found unresponsive and bleeding from the face on a ski hill at Lutsen Mountains ski area Wednesday afternoon. It wasn’t immediately clear how Skog was fatally injured. The ski patrol…

Surf’s Up On A Wintry Lake Superior

DULUTH, Minn. – Who needs to go to California, Florida, or Hawaii to surf when you can jump in Lake Superior in the middle of the winter? Some brave souls wet-suited up and rode the big lake’s waves near Brighton Beach recently. FOX 21 photojournalist Nathaniel LeCapitaine takes us there in this week’s Great Outdoors. Categories: Great Outdoors, Minnesota, News,…

Final Presentation of Project Held for Mission Creek Burial Ground

The burial ground was disturbed by a Minnesota Department of Transportation project to replace the Higway 23 Bridge in Fond Du Lac neighborhood.

CARLTON, Minn. – Black Bear Casino hosted a final presentation on Wednesday night by Urban Ecosystems, the Twin Cities landscape architecture firm working on the project, for the Mission Creek Burial Ground. The burial ground was disturbed by a Minnesota Department of Transportation project to replace the Highway 23 Bridge in Fond Du Lac neighborhood in 2017. According to Urban…

Local Health Expert Gives Coronavirus Update

DULUTH, Minn.– An expert from UMD is giving update on the coronavirus. As of last week, there are 15 confirmed cases of the disease here in the U.S. Both Minnesota and Wisconsin have each had people tested for coronavirus which has resulted in one confirmed case in Wisconsin about two weeks ago. Coronavirus has over 70,000 cases worldwide. While most…

Opening Date for Duluth HomeGoods Announced

DULUTH, Minn.– A new home fixture store in Duluth has announced when they will open their doors. The new HomeGoods location in Burning Tree Plaza will be where Dunham’s Sports used to sit. The store will open its 15th location in Minnesota on March 29th. The national chain will sell items like furniture rugs cookware and more. Categories: News, News…

Longtime Duluth City Attorney Suspended; No Comment From Mayor Larson’s Office

DULUTH, Minn. – Longtime Duluth City Attorney Gunnar Johnson confirmed to FOX 21 Wednesday that he’s been placed on administrative suspension. Johnson said he was “shocked” to learn about his suspension last Wednesday and never saw anything of this magnitude coming from Mayor Emily Larson and her administration. Johnson said it’s his understanding a Twin Cities law firm has been…

Birkie Helps Give Hayward Businesses A Big Boost

HAYWARD, Wis. – The Birkie can be a big moneymaker for many of the businesses in Hayward. Main Street Tacos is heading into its third year and has gained popularity from the locals. The owner says the increase in tourists during the Birkie gives them the opportunity to share their authentic food with more people from all over. “They love…

Birkie Preps Are Well Underway For This Weekend

HAYWARD, Wis. – The town of Hayward is already beginning to transform and the excitement is building as everyone gets ready for the 46th Annual American Birkebeiner The cross-country ski race is one of the largest of its kind in North America. It typically draws tens of thousands of people including spectators and experienced skiers from around the world to…

2nd Annual “Superior Sinker” Event Underway

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – One group of young professionals over in Superior is putting on a unique fundraiser. After its success last year, the organization Superior Jaycees is underway with its second annual “Superior Sinker” event. For the fundraiser, the group put a car out in the middle of the frozen pond on Barker’s Island. The public can now guess the…

Community Day at the Aquarium

Over the last few years, about two thousand people show up during the community day at the aquarium.

DULUTH, Minn. – Over the last few years, about two thousand people show up during the free community day at the aquarium. Today was no different. Patrons young and old came to the event to see all of the exhibits. The Community Day initiative started in 2018 with the hope of highlighting and showcasing some of Duluth’s best attractions for…

Northlander Receives Award for Commitment to Emergency Management

Cheryl Skafte received the outstanding community partner award for her work helping document those needing help after the storm. 

DULUTH, Minn. – One Northlander also received an award today for their commitment to emergency management during the October storm. Cheryl Skafte received the outstanding community partner award for her work helping document those needing help after the storm. “It’s a real honor to be recognized and to feel like maybe something that we’re doing in Duluth is something that…

How to Prepare for an Upcoming Storm

When bad storms hit the Northland, it takes a team effort to help the area recover...

DULUTH, Minn. – When bad storms hit the Northland, it takes a team effort to help the area recover. That’s why planning ahead is so important. Today, emergency managers and responders from both the state and local gathered in Duluth to discuss response strategies. It’s about educating the public that all emergencies are local, whether they happen at the city,…

Trump Ousts Top Defense Official Who Certified Ukraine Aid

WASHINGTON-President Donald Trump has ousted the Pentagon’s top policy official who had certified last year that Ukraine had made enough anti-corruption progress to justify releasing congressionally authorized aid. The Trump administration’s delay in releasing that aid was central to the president’s impeachment by the House on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The Senate voted to acquit…

Minnesota Task Force Takes Aim at Prescription Drug Prices

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has unveiled a task force report that makes 14 separate recommendations for lowering prescription drug prices. They range from new legislation to stronger enforcement action. Ellison said at a news conference Wednesday that the pharmaceutical market is “opaque and dysfunctional.” And he says the confusion has been a barrier to fixing the problem….

Midday Update 2-19-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Andrew Kirov and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, February 19, 2020. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Fire at Minnesota Recycling Plant Possibly Affecting Air Quality

(courtesy: Bill Keller/FOX 9) BECKER, Minn. – Officials are monitoring the air quality in a small Minnesota community where a fire at a metal recycling plant has burned for more than 24 hours. Firefighters in the Sherburne County community of Becker continued to fight the stubborn blaze Wednesday after working all day and through the night Tuesday at Northern Metal…

No Injuries Reported in I-35 Logging Truck Spill

DULUTH, Minn. – Authorities say a semi-truck with the Claw Trucking Group delayed traffic Tuesday evening after the truck spilled its load of logs onto the southbound Hwy 53 ramp. The truck was exiting the ramp onto I-35 south when it lost its load of logs around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday which caused a significant backup of traffic. Authorities say there…

Morning Update 2-19-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Andrew Kirov and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, February 19, 2020. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Park Officials Remind Pet Owners to “Pick Up Poop”

Piles of Poop Left Behind Causes Concerns from Park Officials, City Staff

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s warm, squishy, and it stinks. We’re talking poop. Chances are you’re guilty once or twice of watching your pet poo, and walking away in a public place. But it’s now becoming a problem within the Twin Ports, one pile leading to hundreds if not thousands left unattended. “No one wants to walk in poop when they’re…

Milwaukee Man Charged With Lighting Girlfriend on Fire

MILWAUKEE (AP) – A Milwaukee man is charged with trying to kill his girlfriend by dousing her with gasoline while she slept and lighting her on fire. Bond for 28-year-old Javante Jefferson was set at $500,000 during a court appearance Tuesday. The 23-year-old woman suffered life-threatening, third-degree burns to 60% of her body. Jefferson is charged with attempted first-degree intentional…

Duluth Fire Department Releases Annual Run Report

DULUTH, Minn.– It was a busier 2019 for Duluth firefighters. Nearly 550 more calls were recorded from the previous year along with almost 30 more total fires. The number of calls to the Duluth Fire Department increased roughly 3.5%  compared to 1% increases from the previous two years. The annual report recorded 28 more fires and an increase of 546…

Kids Study Medicine for a Day

DULUTH, Minn.– A group of kids were invited to learn more about health and the human body at UMD. The American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) took six Indigenous youth to the medical school at UMD to learn about the human body from a group of medical students. Kids learned how to do basic procedures like giving a blood pressure…

Library Uses Marshmallows to Teach S.T.E.M.

DULUTH, Minn.– Everyone learns differently but what about learning with marshmallows? Kids at the Mt. Royal Library created devices to throw, catapult, and launch marshmallows. It’s all about teaching kids about science and technology. And of course, there were enough marshmallows to snack on. Organizers hope the use of common household items like marshmallows can encourage kids to take an…

Wisconsin Spring Primary Election Results

Below are the up to date results to the key races in Tuesday’s Wisconsin Spring Primary Election **98% of Precincts Reporting** Representatives in Congress District 7 (Democrat) – One Advances Tricia Zunker – 35,562 votes | 89% Lawrence Dale – 4,473 votes | 11% Representatives in Congress District 7 (Republican) – One Advances Tom Tiffany – 43,766 votes | 58%…

It’s National Drink Wine Day!

DULUTH, Minn – Here’s a reminder to grab yourself a glass of your favorite wine today. It’s National Drink Wine Day. It’s not to be confused with National Wine Day which is celebrated in May. Today’s unofficial holiday celebrates those who just like to enjoy a glass of wine. But those lovers can take it a step further by making…

MnDot hosts Coffee and Conversations

The Minnesota Department of Transportation likes to share details on road projects and construction over coffee with the public.

PROCTOR, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation likes to share details on road projects and construction over coffee with the public. MnDOT had one of its coffee and conversation sessions today in Proctor. The program talks about upcoming road projects, along with snow and ice removal. The meetings span across eight counties for people to ask questions and give…

Wisconsin Primary Kicks Off!

Poll workers say they've seen a good turnout for primary election day so far

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Poll workers say they’ve seen a good turnout for primary election day so far. On the ballot tonight are races for City Council, the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the primary for the 7th Congressional District. The special election race is to replace former U.S. Representative Sean Duffy, a Republican who resigned from his post this past fall…

President Trump goes on Clemency Spree, and the List is Long

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has gone on a clemency blitz, commuting what he called a “ridiculous” 14-year prison sentence for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and pardoning former New York Police Department commissioner Bernie Kerik, among a long list of others. Others who got a break from Trump include financier Michael Milken, who served two years in prison…

Boy Scouts Seek Bankruptcy, Urge Victims to Step Forward

(Associated Press) –The Boy Scouts of America urged victims to come forward Tuesday as the historic, 110-year-old organization filed for bankruptcy protection in the first step toward creating a huge compensation fund for potentially thousands of men who were molested as youngsters decades ago by scoutmasters or other leaders. The Scouts resorted to Chapter 11 in hopes of surviving a…

Midday Update 2-18-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, February 18, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News

HealthPartners Union Workers Reach Tentative Contract Deal

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The union representing 1,800 HealthPartners workers in Minnesota says it has reached a tentative labor agreement and averted a strike that was scheduled to begin Wednesday. The Service Employees International Union says the agreement was reached early Tuesday after 17 hours of negotiations. Union members will vote on it next week. Members include nurses, physicians assistants, dental…

Polls Open for Wisconsin Spring Primary Election

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Polls are now open for the Wisconsin spring primary election. Two Republican candidates and two Democratic candidates are running to replace former Congressman Sean Duffy’s seat in District 7. The Democratic candidates are Lawrence Dale and Tricia Zunker, and the Republican candidates are Jason Church and Tom Tiffany with only one to advance. Running for justice of…

Morning Update 2-18-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, February 18, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News

Suspect Sought in Fatal Bemidji Shooting

Authorities are Still Searching for the Suspect

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Authorities in northern Minnesota are searching for a suspect in a fatal shooting. Beltrami County sheriff’s dispatchers got a call about a man who had been shot outside a residence Monday night. Police officers and sheriff’s deputies arrived and found the body of a 20-year-old man. According to reports, another victim in the shooting, a 17-year-old male,…