News

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,…

Rookie League Practices with CSS Men’s Basketball

DULUTH, Minn.– Kids from a local youth basketball organization spent some time with college athletes in the gym tonight for a unique opportunity. The Rookie Basketball Association brought over a dozen kids to St. Scholastica to participate in their men’s basketball practice Monday. This is just one stop in the organization’s tour of college practices around the Northland and gives…

Duluth Heights Receives New Rink

DULUTH, Minn.– With the day off, parks and outdoor rinks were filled with kids. Thanks to the Minnesota Wild and others, one outdoor rink in Duluth is getting an upgrade. The Duluth Heights Community Center has been a place where kids from all over the city can come and skate but when association practices begin, public skaters are moved to…

Duluth Ski Hill Opens on Presidents Day

DULUTH, Minn.– With plenty of things to do this Presidents Day, some fresh snow made it a great day on the slopes. Spirit Mountain opened up their lifts today for a fun day of skiing. While the slopes are normally closed on Mondays, they open for holidays like President’s Day and Martin Luther King Day so students can get another…

Adventure Zone Celebrates Ninth Birthday

DULUTH, Minn.– On Monday’s day off from school, there was a lot going on inside a Duluth business that’s been a favorite for kids for almost a decade. Adventure Zone was filled with kids enjoying their day off from school. The theme park is celebrating its ninth birthday, offering drawings and a chance to earn free passes in March. Days…

Special Report: Suicidal Thoughts Resulting in “The Final Journey”

Contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)

LAKE COUNTY, Minn. – It’s one word surrounded by stigma and often never discussed — Suicide. Nationally, the number of people taking their lives continues to dramatically rise year-after-year. So how do the numbers break down locally? The number of suicides reported along the North Shore of Minnesota have spiked over the past ten years. Many people have come from…

The Number Of Flu Cases In Northland Jump From Last Year

Experts say flu cases are up by 15% for this season.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland is really taking a hit with the influenza virus. Schools and senior living facilities are some of the places that are experiencing a widespread outbreak. Healthcare providers say the number of cases is up by 15% from last year. There are three strains of the Influenza Virus, but most commonly people get the “A” or…

At Sara’s Table Reopens After Week Long Renovations

DULUTH, Minn – The popular restaurant At Sara’s Table in Duluth has reopened after closing for more than a week while undergoing renovations. The restaurant added a few new bathrooms and an upstairs conference space, which can hold up to 30 people. Most notably, there is a new re-designed french-inspired professional kitchen. The new set up is more open giving…

President’s Day: A Holiday Filled with Fun and Remembrance

Who was the fourth president of the United States? What about the first president with a beard?

DULUTH, Minn. – President’s Day means school is out for kids of all ages, but it also means a day of remembering what the holiday is all about. Who was the fourth president of the United States? What about the first president with a beard? President’s Day is a reason to have the day off, but is also a day…

President’s Day Brings Winter Fluff

With the snow, Duluth looked like a small snow globe today...

DULUTH, Minn. – With the snow, Duluth looked like a small snow globe today… Visitors were out at Canal Park and taking pictures and enjoying the dusting made by the snow. Some tourists came from the Twin Cities and they say that the snowfall creates a beautiful landscape. “Oh definitely, the trees were covered with a little bit of that…

Midday Update 2-17-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, February 17, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist Ryan Johnson for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, February 17, 2020. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

One Severely Injured in Bayfield County Snowmobile Crash

BAYFIELD COUNTY, Wis. – A 23-year-old male was severely injured in an early Saturday morning snowmobile crash. Authorities say the crash happened at the Four Seasons Resort in Namakagon around 1:35 a.m. According to reports, 23-year-old Ryan Schelle, of Breda, IA, was ejected from his snowmobile after colliding into two other parked snowmobiles outside of the resort. Schelle was flown…

Rotary Club Hosts Craft Beer and Wine Tasting Event

8th Annual event raises money for WITC, Second Harvest Food Bank.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- A fundraising event for the benefit of WITC Dreamkeepers Fund, Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank and Rotary International Projects. During the event, there will be a live auction, silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, and raffles. The main event sponsor is Keyport Liquor Categories: Community, Entertainment, News, News – Latest News, Wisconsin

Multiple Crashes Reported in Duluth Monday Morning

DULUTH, Minn. – Multiple crashes have been reported Monday morning due to slick road conditions on I-35. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation 511 website, there were three reported crashes as of 9:20 a.m. One crash was reported between exit 258 and MN I94 at 5th Avenue West; another between Garfield Avenue and the end of I-535, between Exit…

Chicken Toss Draws Big Crowd, Animal Rights Groups Protest

More than 100 live chickens are tossed into crowd at annual event

RIDGELAND, Wis. – Every year, Ridgeland, Wisconsin holds a chicken toss as part of its Pioneer Days celebration. At the event, more than a hundred live chickens are thrown off a roof into a crowd of people. Some say it’s a harmless small town tradition. “Everyone stops you and says nice chicken and stuff like that. It’s just a fun…

First Annual Rice Lake Winter Frolic Brings Families Together

Frolic offered sledding, s'mores, and cider.

RICE LAKE, Minn.- Families in Rice Lake got out to enjoy the winter day at the first annual Winter Frolic. The event included s’mores-making on an open fire, hot chocolate and cider, a sledding hill and a snowy playground. Ice skating was going to be available as well, but was canceled due to excess snow. According to organizer Kathy LeFave,…

Move Over Downward Facing Dog; Laughter Yoga Lifts the Spirit

Relatively young practice uses laughter to bring positivity.

DULUTH, Minn.- They say laughter is the best medicine, well at the Lake Superior Interfaith Community Church in East Hillside, one group is putting that to the test and getting some pretty hilarious results. “When we start laughing we can’t stop,” said Laughter Yoga Leader Sue Brewer. If you stop in and wonder what’s so funny, don’t worry, you didn’t…

Town of Oakland Snowshoe Race Celebrates New Fire Station and Town Hall

The Snowshoe Race has been going on since the 1980s and this year, it was held next to the town's newest building.

TOWN OF OAKLAND, Wis. – The Town of Oakland recently opened its new combined fire station and town hall building. It opened a couple of months ago giving the community a place to gather and the volunteer fire department a new space. “We’ve got a lot more room for our fire equipment every piece of apparatus has a door to…