News

Grizzly Bear Attack Survivor Alex Messenger Releases New Book, “The Twenty-Ninth Day”

Alex Messenger Was Attacked by a Grizzly Bear in the Canadian Wilderness in 2005

DULUTH, Minn. – It was a dream come true for then 17-year-old Alex Messenger. What he didn’t know about his trip to the serene Canadian wilderness is that it would quickly change his life. Messenger recently released his new tell-all book, “The Twenty-Ninth Day.” The book details Messenger’s attack by a grizzly bear back in 2005 on the twenty-ninth day…

UPDATE: Victim Identified in Cass Lake Homicide, 15-Year-Old Suspect Arrested

UPDATE: Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch reports that the victim has been identified as Brandon Morgan Jr, age 19, of Cass Lake. Pursuant to the ongoing investigation, a 15-year-old male has been taken into custody and formal charges are pending. The cause of death has been ruled homicide and the investigation is ongoing. ___________________ CASS LAKE, Minn.-Authorities in northern Minnesota…

Midday Update 11-21-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, November 21, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, November 21, 2019. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Local News, midday update

Evers, Legislature Approval Drops in Latest Poll

MADISON, Wis.-Gov. Tony Evers’ approval rating has dropped below 50% as the first-term Democrat continues to butt heads with the Republican-controlled Legislature. The latest Marquette University Law School poll out Wednesday also shows the Legislature’s approval rating has dipped. Evers’ approval rating was at 47% this month, compared with 52% in October. The Legislature had a similar drop from 52%…

Minnesota Violence Project Aims to Understand Mass Shootings

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Minnesota researchers have created a new database that seeks to help understand circumstances that contribute to mass shootings in the United States. Minnesota Public Radio News reports that the nonpartisan Violence Project’s database went online Tuesday. The project’s researchers chronicled traits related to 171 people who committed mass shootings. Violence Project co-founder James Densley says researchers looked at…

Morning Update 11-21-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, November 21, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, November 21, 2019. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Local News, morning update

Impeachment Inquiry Latest: Diplomat Says He Overheard Trump-Sondland Call

WASHINGTON-A Foreign Service officer says he overheard a phone call between President Donald Trump and a U.S. ambassador in which they discussed investigations requested of Ukraine. David Holmes is testifying Thursday in a House impeachment inquiry into whether Trump wrongly held up military aid to Ukraine until the president committed to investigating Trump’s Democratic political rival. Holmes says he was…

United Way Looks To Spread Kindness

DULUTH, Minn. – United Ways Across Minnesota have sparked the initiative “Acts of Kindness Week” this week. The Head of The Lakes was out in full force this afternoon in the Holiday Center. They also partnered with the red gross, giving people the opportunity to fill out holiday cards to military personnel. It’s all in an effort to help people…

13th Annual Christmas by the Lake Album Released

Album sales go to support the Bluebird Foundation which in turn supports high school students in the performing arts.

DULUTH, Minn. – Christmas by the Lake is an annual album that comes out each holiday season featuring 300 local and regional artists playing Christmas themed music. Album sales go to support the Bluebird Foundation which in turn supports high school students in the performing arts. All kinds of genres of music are on the album which features 33 holiday…

Police Read Books to Kids at Squad Car Storytime

This month is Dino-vember at the library so an officer read all kinds of dinosaur themed books to the kids.

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth police officer served his community on Wednesday by reading to kids at Squad Car Storytime at the Duluth Public Library. This month is Dino-vember at the library so an officer read all kinds of dinosaur themed books to the kids. The young children asked questions about the books and even put in their two cents…

Fannie Rose Candy Shop is Getting a Sweet Upgrade

Fannie Rose Candy Shop changes name to Duluth Candy Co.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth’s local candy store is getting a sweet upgrade before the end of the month. Fannie Rose Candy Shop on Superior Street is changing its name to Duluth Candy Co. The shop says it’s time to paint the walls and renovate the insides after a decade downtown. The building the candy store is in, however, will still be called…

Northland Prepares for First Widespread Snowfall

Preparation began earlier than usual for the Minnesota Department of Transportation

DULUTH, Minn.- As the Northland prepares for its first widespread significant snowfall of the season, the preparation began earlier than usual fro the Minnesota Department of Transportation. MnDOT isn’t the only one preparing. Local businesses selling snow removal equipment have seen an up-tick in business. The day for MnDOT was spent preparing their trucks for what could be a long…

Essentia’s ‘Vision Northland’ Project Takes the Construction Spotlight Downtown

Superior Street construction ends, Essentia Health expansion continues.

DULUTH, Minn.- From one construction project to the next, People in Duluth are free to drive down Superior Street just to see the multi-million dollar Essentia Health expansion project take the construction spotlight downtown. Essentia says it’s “Vision Northland” project is turning into a reality now that they’re finishing the demolition phase of their three-year makeover. Officials say working on their…

Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil Held in Duluth

Annual vigil memorializes transgender lives lost to murder and suicide

DULUTH, Minn. – So far this year in the U.S., at least twenty-two transgender or non-conforming people have been fatally shot or killed by other means, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Transgender Day of Remembrance is held on November 20th every year. It memorializes transgender lives lost to murder and suicide and aims to bring attention to how common…

Duluth City Clerk Promoted to New Position

Chelsea Helmer will be come Director of Administrative Services pending council approval

DULUTH, Minn. – Staffing changes are coming to Duluth City Hall. City Clerk Chelsea Helmer will be promoted to Director of Administrative Services pending council approval. In her new role, Helmer would oversee the City Clerk’s office, IT, and Human Resources. “I think the benefit of this new department is these three divisions have the common element of we provide…

Duluth Man Charged in Gary-New Duluth Stabbing

43-year-old Stuart Miller charged with second degree assault

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth  man has been charged with assault after allegedly stabbing another man Sunday morning in Gary-New Duluth. 43-year-old Stuart Miller faces a second degree assault charge after the incident. According to the criminal complaint, Miller and the 27-year-old victim were at Shotz Bar on Commonwealth Avenue around 1:45 a.m. Sunday morning. Video surveillance shows a struggle…

Marine General Turkey Fry Raises Thousands for Duluth Bike Drive

Marine General, The Salvation Army and Duluth businesses celebrate the season of giving with the annual Turkey Fry.

DULUTH, Minn.- It was a three-in-one celebration at Marine General in Duluth Wednesday: A holiday turkey fry, the kick–off to ice fishing season and a fundraiser for the annual city bike drive This is the 11th year Marine General… The Salvation Army and several Duluth Businesses have raised money to buy bikes for kids and families. They were able to…

MnDOT Prepares For Upcoming “Can Of Worms” Project

Project is set to begin in the spring of next year.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation has already started the ground work for the “Can of Worms” project, which is expected to start next spring. This project will rebuild and modernize the interchange of I-35, I-535, and Highway 53. MnDot officials tell us the project is moving along quickly. Currently preliminary work and testing is now underway on…

Tips to Remember When Stray Animals Are Found

Animal Allies Humane Society Says They Receive Multiple Calls Per Day Regarding What to Do With Stray Animals

DULUTH, Minn. – It can often be difficult to know what’s the right thing to do when coming across stray animals, especially in the cold winter months. Stray or feral animals may be timid, or show force, leaving helpful animal advocates to wonder what’s the best way of going about getting the animal to a safe place. Michelle Carter, Development…

Midday Update 11-20-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, November 20, 2019. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, Local News, midday update, weather

New Local Business Taking Stress Out Of Holiday Baking

Lake Superior Baking Co. Began in October of 2019; Hermantown Resident Chloe Harris is the Founder of the Company

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Baking is all the buzz in the kitchen of one Hermantown resident. 17-year-old Chloe Harris started Lake Superior Baking Co. in October of 2019. Harris says she has had a passion for baking since she was 7-years-old. Now she’s turning her passion into a profession by starting up her very own company. Harris bakes out of her…

Day Care Death Investigated in Brainerd

Sheriff's officials in central Minnesota are investigating the death of an infant at a home day care.

BRAINERD, Minn.-Sheriff’s officials in central Minnesota are investigating the death of an infant at a home day care. Emergency responders found the baby boy unresponsive after they were called to the home Nov. 12. The infant died a short time later at Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd. State regulators have temporarily suspended the license of the day care…

Gobble, Gobble! Tickets on Sale for 71st Annual Lincoln Park Business Group Turkey Bingo

Turkey Bingo is Happening Wednesday, November 20, and Thursday, November 21

DULUTH, Minn. – Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which can only mean one thing. Lincoln Park Business Group is inviting all Northlanders to purchase tickets now for the 71st Annual Turkey Bingo. This year, they’re adding another day to the madness for double the amount of fun. Turkey Bingo will be played Wednesday, November 20 and Thursday, November 21….

Judge Orders Search of MPCA Computers in PolyMet Challenge

MINNEAPOLIS-A judge has ordered a forensic search of computers used by three former top officials at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as part of an investigation into whether they sought to suppress concerns by federal regulators about pollution risks from the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine. The order filed Tuesday by Ramsey County District Judge John Guthmann sets a date of…

Morning Update 11-20-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, November 20, 2019. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Local News, morning update

Impeachment Latest: Schiff Warns Trump of Peril of Obstructing Probe

WASHINGTON, D.C.-House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff has opened Wednesday’s impeachment hearing with a warning for President Donald Trump’s administration. Schiff said the House has “not received a single document” from the administration as it has investigated Trump’s dealings with Ukraine. He said Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have made “a concerted and across the board effort” to…

I Love You Pop-Up Event at UMD

UMD students offered some kind words to those in the Northland, with the help of a well-known Minnesota artist

DULUTH, Minn.- We tell people we love them all the time, but when was the last time you wrote a letter to someone, and ended it with “I love you”? Tuesday, UMD students offered some kind words to those in the Northland, with the help of a well-known Minnesota artist. It’s the season of giving, and UMD students are giving…

Torah Scroll Remnants from Adas Israel Synagogue Fire Caught in Garage Fire

Remnants of four Torah scrolls stored in storage garage to be buried, garage caught fire Sunday.

DULUTH, Minn.- More than two months since the Adas Israel Synagogue burned to the ground, a new tragedy has struck the congregation–remnants of four Torah scrolls that were damaged in the original fire were caught in another fire Sunday. Rabbi Phillip Sher of the Adas Israel Congregation said the remnants of those four Torah scrolls were stored in that garage…

Duluth ISD 709 Tenured Teachers Celebrated

44 Duluth Public School Teachers were celebrated for three years on the job, all becoming tenured in the district.

DULUTH, Minn.- 44 Duluth Public School Teachers were celebrated for three years on the job, all becoming tenured in the district. Teachers from Duluth East, Congdon Park Elementary, and Denfeld were just some of those honored in front of friends and family members. For one teacher in particular, whose students from Denfeld catered the event says being with them on…

Volunteers Needed For Thanksgiving Day Buffet

DULUTH, Minn. – Thanksgiving is a little over a week away, but preparations are already underway at the DECC for their Thanksgiving buffet. Food has been coming into the DECC, waiting to be prepared for the thousands of community members that aren’t able to get a hot meal on Thanksgiving. Volunteers are still needed, especially during the afternoon shift, so…

Lake Superior College’s PT Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary

DULUTH, Minn. – Lake Superior College’s Physical Therapy Program Celebrated its 20th Anniversary Tuesday afternoon. It was all started by students who were part of a class to develop a clinic back in 1998. Then, the clinic opened in 1999 as a partnership with Saint Scholastica’s PT program. The program accepts students, LSC employees and the public as patients. Students…

Small Business Owners And Elected Officials Advocate For Paid Leave

DULUTH, Minn. – The implementation of Duluth’s Earned Sick and Safe Time is set to go into effect in January. Elected officials and small business owners  gathered at Vikre Distillery in Duluth to advocate for statewide Paid Family and Medical Leave insurance. The Duluth earned sick and safe time will allow people to accrue days off to care for themselves…

Downtown Duluth Will Become A Construction Zone Next April

Two projects will take place this upcoming contruction season.

DULUTH, Minn. – Phase Two of the Superior Street Reconstruction project recently wrapped up, but Phase Three is next up on the agenda for the project. In addition to Phase Three of the Superior Street project, the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Lake Avenue Bridge Resurfacing project will also happen this upcoming construction season. Phase Three of the Superior Street project…

Torah Scrolls Burned In September Synagogue Fire Damaged Again in Garage Fire

DULUTH, Minn. – The Torah scrolls that were damaged when the Adas Israel Synagogue burned down in September were inside a garage that caught fire on Sunday in Duluth. According to Adas Israel Synagogue board of directors member Mike Baddin, the garage was rented by a member of the congregation who offered the space to store the damaged scrolls. In…

Wisconsin Firearm Deer Season Begins Saturday

Wisconsin's Traditional Nine-Day Firearm Deer Season Gets Under Way Saturday, November 23

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin’s nine-day gun deer season starts Saturday. The season begins just before dawn and will run until just after sunset on Sunday, December 1. Hunters will be allowed to kill does in every county for the first time in a decade, a sign that the herd is robust across the state. The state Department of Natural…

Governor Walz Urges Public Hearings to Break Insulin Impasse

Lawmakers Report Little Progress Made in Closed-Door Talks Over the Past Month Regarding the Cost of Insulin

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz is urging Minnesota lawmakers to hold public hearings to try to break an impasse over legislation to make insulin more affordable. Lawmakers have made little apparent progress in closed-door talks over the past month toward reconciling the differences between competing House Democratic and Senate Republican plans. Their last meeting was Friday. The…

Midday Update 11-19-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, November 19, 2019. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update

It’s Turkey Fry Time! Marine General Hosting Annual Fundraiser Wednesday

Marine General is Hosting the Annual Turkey Fry Fundraiser Wednesday, November 20 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – 60 turkeys will be deep fried outside Marine General in Duluth on Wednesday, November 20. The public is invited to stop by the store located at 1501 London Road from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for turkey sandwiches, ice fishing information, and more. The 11th annual event will also kick off Bob’s Bike Drive. This year, more…

Morning Update 11-19-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, November 19, 2019. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Local News, morning update, News

Northland Winter Weather Outlook 2019-2020

The Northland Gears Up for Another Long Winter

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s time for the 2019-2020 Winter Weather Outlook from our Fox 21 Meteorologists! While we’re still a month away from the official start of winter, snow arrives earlier in the Northland and sticks around beyond March!  We’ve already seen big snow events this season with a “Winter Storm Warning” across the Snowbelt with more than a foot…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Buy and Sell Gear at Great Lakes Gear Exchange

New outdoor gear consignment store opens in East Hillside.

DULUTH, Minn.- Here outdoor activities are a part of life in any season. But all of that equipment can get pricey. Great Lakes Gear Exchange is hoping to change that. “Our mission is to make outdoor adventure financially and culturally accessible while promoting sustainability in the outdoor industry,” said co-owner Brooke Wetmore. Before occupying their new storefront on East 4th…

Minnesota Power Strings Lights on 35th Christmas Tree

3400 ft of LED lights strung on tree.

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas throughout the rest of Duluth as crews decorated the Minnesota Power Christmas Tree in lights for the 35th year. The 54 ft tree will be strung in 3400 feet of LED lights, to be lit Friday at five before the Christmas City of the North Parade. The tree will be…

Bentleyville Prep Wraps Up Five Days Before Opening

Volunteers finish setting up gift shop.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Bentleyville Tour of Lights is almost done setting up in Bayfront Park, for opening night this Saturday. Over the last eight weeks, about 15 hundred volunteers helped set up the 21 acres of over 5 million lights. Founder Nathan Bentley said the display wouldn’t happen without all of that help. “I sometimes believe the public maybe doesn’t…