News

Celebrating Ramadan in the Northland

A look inside the customs and traditions of the holiest month of Islam.

DULUTH, Minn.- The evening of May 5th marked the beginning of the holiest month of the year in Islam. The month when God, or Allah, revealed the first verses of the Quran to the prophet Muhammad. The month of Ramadan. “It’s a training a ground for us where we are deprived of food and drink and intimacy really,” said Nick…

Hands-Free Driving Law Begins August 1

FOX 21 Rides Along With Minnesota State Patrol

DULUTH, Minn – Starting August 1st it will be illegal to have a phone in your hand at all while driving in Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz signed the bill into law earlier this year. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says this will make the roads safer and make it easier for law enforcement officers to pull over distracted drivers….

4 Corners Store Holds Celebration to Thank Loyal Customers

The 4 Corners Store took over new ownership in October.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The 4 Corners Store in Superior, off County Road A, held a grand opening celebration to say thank you to their loyal customers. The shop actually took over new ownership back in October, but Raquel and her dog Odie wanted to invite the community out to see all the new things the shop has to offer. 4 Corners staff…

Ursa Minor Brewing and Habitat for Humanity Host Diffe’RUN’ce 5K

The 5K raised money for the Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity Chapter.

DULUTH, Minn.- Ursa Minor Brewing hosted a fun–run that benefited the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. “Part of our mission at Ursa Minor is to give back to our community and give our customers an opportunity to give back to the community,” Ursa Minor Brewing co-founder Ben Hugas said. This was round 3 for the Ursa Minor diffe’run’ce 5K since the…

Updated: Missing Woman’s Body Discovered On Fond Du Lac Reservation

The body of a missing woman, Wahbinmigisi “Pennie” Robertson, 31, of the Fond du Lac Reservation, has been found, according to tribal spokeswoman Makayla Telfer. The body was discovered by a search party around 6 p.m. Saturday near a rural community within the Brookston District of the Fond du Lac Reservation. The Fond du Lac Police Department and the St. Louis County…

Duluth Police Investigate Shooting in East Hillside

Victim Suffered Non-Life Threatening Injuries

DULUTH, Minn. –  Duluth police were investigating a shooting in the East Hillside neighborhood that injured a man. The shooting was reported around 12:30 p.m. Sunday at an apartment complex on the 600 block of East 4th Street. When police arrived, they located a 42-year-old man with non-life threatening injuries to the ear and surface of the head, according to…

‘Cornholing’ MS at the Other Place Bar and Grill

Bar holds Cornhole Tournament to fight Multiple Sclerosis.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Other Place Bar and Grill in Duluth invited people to take to the boards to “cornhole” MS, or multiple sclerosis. According to organizers with Right BikeMS, the game of beanbags and boards was perfect for the whole family. “I was trying to find an event that we could get kids and parents all doing the same thing,”…

Fishing for a Cure for ALS

24th Annual Kolar Toyota ALS Fishing Tournament brings 300 anglers to Island Lake.

DULUTH, Minn.- Dozens of boats dot the water of Island Lake. They come in from a long day of fishing, and move out of the dock to make room for the boat to weigh what they caught. “Today we have 300 anglers out here fishing for bass, fishing for walleye, they’re out here trying to get the big one, get…

Sutherland CBD Store Opens in Duluth

Sutherland CBD opened in the Lakeside neighborhood.

DULUTH, Minn.- Sutherland CBD celebrated the grand opening of their second location in the Twin Ports Saturday. The hemp oil store expanded from their first location in Superior to Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood. The owners say they wanted to be as educated as possible on the Minnesota laws for CBD before opening the new store. “When it comes to CBD laws, Minnesota…

Minnesota High School Softball Tournament Schedule Announced

Three teams from the Northland will be traveling to Mankato for the tournament.

MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota high school softball tournament schedule was announced on Saturday. In Class AAA #4 Cloquet will be taking on #5 Benilde St. Margaret on Thursday, June 6th, at 11 A.M.. Class AA will feature Esko who will play #1 Norwood-Young America on Thursday at 9 A.M.. Finally, Class A will feature the South Ridge Panthers taking…

Fire Inside Duluth JCPenney

Damage to the store is estimated at $2,500

DULUTH, Minn. – A fire caused a brief evacuation at the JCPenney store at the Miller Hill Mall. The incident happened at 3:46 p.m. on Saturday. According to the Duluth Fire Department, the fire started in a wall in the salon area on the second floor. The lint build-up in the wall and the heat from a dryer in use…

Volunteers Build Sheds to Raise Money for Habitat for Humanity

Members of Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps teamed up with Habitats for Humanity to build sheds for an upcoming auction.

DULUTH, Minn- Members of Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps teamed up with Habitats for Humanity to build the sheds for an upcoming auction. The sheds raise money to help build affordable housing and teach workers the fundamentals of teamwork and proper equipment use. “Really learning how to use the basics like a drill, an impact driver, just kind of getting those…

New Record Pop-Up Store Open for Summer in Superior

Odd LP's is in the old barbershop on Belknap Street.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- One man’s hobby of collecting old records has turned into Superior’s newest business. Jacob Swanson is calling it ‘Odd LP’s’. The pop–up record shop has found a semi–permanent location at the old barbershop on Belknap Street. Swanson says his biggest priority is making sure these vintage records find good homes. “When I buy records, there’s a lot of stuff…

Twin Ports Tech Company Launches Presentation Software

Fasetto launched their newest software "Forum."

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Superior based software company Fasetto is one of the only tech companies in the Twin Ports. They’re trying to get the word out about their newest development called ‘Forum.’ Employees held a launch party for the software. Forum is designed to make presentations more accessible for presenters and viewers. Internet is not needed to use the software once it’s…

City Leaders and Local Organizations Speak Out on Gun Violence

National Gun Violence Awareness Day is June 7.

DULUTH, Minn.- Local organizations, city officials and school board members spoke at Duluth city hall to raise awareness of gun violence. June 7 is National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Friday’s event was a precursor to that day and a way to prepare the city for Wear Orange Weekend. It was started in 2015 in memory of Hadiya Pendleton, a Chicago teenager who…

Northland Trail Joins Elite Company

Duluth now has a national scenic trail running right through it

DULUTH, Minn.- It has been a process for over 25 years, but now Duluth has a national scenic trail running right through it. Congress passed a massive public lands package earlier this year making Duluth part of just 11 national scenic trails in the country. What is known as the Arrowhead Re-Route, it makes the Superior hiking trail part of…

Small Explosion Causes Fire at Motel 6

The explosion happened early Friday morning

DULUTH, Minn.- This morning, a fire caused an evacuation at the Motel 6 on 27th Avenue West in Duluth. When crews arrived just after 9 a.m., they found smoke in a hallway and in multiple rooms because of a possible explosion. A utility room had a broken window and ceiling damage. A guest we spoke with, was inside the hotel…

At Least 12 Killed in Mass Shooting in State of Virginia

Police say at least 12 people have been killed and six others injured in a mass shooting at a municipal building in Virginia Beach.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Tragedy has struck Virginia Beach, Virginia. The city’s municipal center is the site of the country’s latest mass shooting. Police confirm at least twelve are dead in addition to the gunman. Multiple other people are injured. Among them, a police officer who is expected to survive. Officials say he was fired upon by the suspect, but…

Northland Veterans Without Insurance Get Free Dental Care

The dental practice provided free services to about 15 veterans and their spouses.

Many Veterans in the Northland don’t have dental insurance. So Shoreline Dental Associates on London Road spent the day giving veterans and their spouses free dental care. Veterans were offered free cleanings, fillings, and x–rays. The wife of a Vietnam veteran said when she heard about the free service, she immediately set up an appointment for her husband. She says…

Meadowlands Farmers Sounding off on Flooding from Drainage Ditches

"Time is of the essence. This is an emergency here."

MEADOWLANDS, Minn. – Flooding from ditches have been a constant for farms in Meadowlands. As the ditches become more of a problem farmers are saying it is disrupting their livelihood. Drainage ditches on farms around Meadowlands are used to get rid of excess water left behind by rain. After years of not being cared for, they have become clogged by…

Update: Pine County Shooting Suspect Found Dead

UPDATE: On May 30th Pine County deputies recovered a body in the Little Sand Creek west of the residence where the shooting took place.  The body was transported to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. The deceased has been identified as Allen W. Hasser, the suspect in the shooting incident.  A cause of death is pending and an updated…

Cloquet Police Seek Shooting Suspects

It is believed both the vehicles and occupants were leaving a funeral/wake service at the Brookston Community Center for a teenager who died Monday in Duluth. 

CLOQUET, Minn.-Last night around 9:30 p.m., officers responded to the Fond du Lac Gas & Grocery Store for a report of a person who had been shot inside their SUV. Officers learned the juvenile victim was a passenger in an SUV traveling south on Brevator Road when another car approached and fired something at their SUV, causing two windows to…

Highway N Remains Closed in Bayfield County Due to Flooding

Bayfield County Highway N between Barnes and Drummond remains closed due to flooding.

BAYFIELD, Wis.-Bayfield County Highway N between Barnes and Drummond remains closed due to flooding. Water levels in Pigeon Lake have continued to rise. Bayfield County Highway Department secured permits for work on the road from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers. The highway department has started the work to raise a section of N…

Experience The Le Grand Du Nord Bike Race

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Fox 21's Brittney Merlot Finishes Her Race She's Been Training Months For!

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. — In this week’s Active Adventures we get to see the Le Grand Du Nord gravel bike race from a personal perspective; as Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot hits the pavement, climbs the Sawtooth Mountains and rides through muddy logging trails. Experience the ups and downs on a long bike race and learn some valuable tips first hand….

Cloquet man Sentenced to 86 Months for First Degree Assault on Infant

CLOQUET, Minn. – A Cloquet father has been convicted of first-degree assault and sentenced to 86 months in prison, after being accused of abusing his three-month old infant. St. Lukes Hospital reported to authorities in December that a three-month old infant had presented with injuries consistent with child abuse. According to reports the infant had a skull fracture, fractured arm…

Midday Update 5-31-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, May 31, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, May 31, 2019. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, weather

Update: Driver in Fatal hit-and-run Crash Charged With Vehicular Homicide

DULUTH, Minn. – A 30-year-old Duluth man has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide in connection to the fatal hit-and-run crash in West Duluth on Tuesday. According to court records, Stanley Brown admitted during an interview with police to being the driver of the Jeep at the time it struck the motorcycle. Brown told authorities he had been drinking prior…

Massive Orio Cookies Available at Vikre Now

COOKING CONNECTION: Vikre's New Food Menu Made By Duluth's Best Bread

DULUTH, Minn. — In this week’s Cooking Connection we are making massive freshly made ORIO cookies! Not Oreo, but Orio! Check the sweet treat recipe out and how to make it yourself, in the video above. Vikre Distillery teamed up with Duluth’s Best Bread to add more small bites to their snack menu too. So you can also get this…

Missing Person: Wahbinmigisi “Pennie” Robertson, 31

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. – Family members reported Wahbinmigisi “Pennie” Robertson, 31, missing to the Fond du Lac Police Department on Tuesday, May 28. Robertson was last seen on Mahnomen Road on May 24. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office was notified on May 31 of the investigation and is working with the FDL PD moving forward. Robertson has identifying…

Order Up! ‘Bite Squad’ Rolls into Duluth, Hermantown

Bite Squad is a Food Delivery Service Based in Minneapolis

DULUTH, Minn. – Are you hungry, but don’t want to cook or wait at the restaurant to get your food? Minnesota based Bite Squad is now serving the Duluth and Hermantown areas. Bite Squad started in Minneapolis in 2012 serving 17 restaurants and employing five drivers. The food delivery business is now in more than 375 cities across the United…

DTA Driver Cited in Downtown bus Crash

The Pedestrian Sustained Significant Injuries

DULUTH, Minn. – According to the Duluth Police Department, the driver of the DTA bus that hit a woman in Downtown Duluth earlier this month has been cited with “failure to yield to a pedestrian.” The crash happened around 12:48 p.m. on May 18 at the intersection of Third Avenue West and Superior Street. When first responders arrived on scene…

Morning Update 5-31-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, May 31, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, May 31, 2019. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Minneapolis Officer’s Attorneys Seek no Prison for Shooting

He Will be Sentenced June 7

(Renee Jones Schneider/Star Tribune via AP)MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Attorneys for the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of fatally shooting an unarmed woman in 2017 plan to ask a sentencing judge for no prison time. If that’s not granted, they’re seeking less prison time than state sentencing guidelines recommend. Mohamed Noor’s lawyers filed a motion Thursday asking for a “dispositional departure”…

Trump Promise of new Mexican Tariffs Brings Protests

He Said the Percentage Will Gradually Increase

WASHINGTON (AP) – It was a surprise announcement that could derail a major trade deal. President Donald Trump has announced that he is placing a 5% tariff on all Mexican imports, effective June 10, to pressure the country to do more to crack down on the surge of Central American migrants trying to cross the U.S. border. He said the…

Narcan or Not? Law Enforcement Agencies Vary on Approach to Overdoses

While Donations and Grants Make Narcan Easily Accessible For Police, Some Choose Not to Use It

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The number of people dying from opioid overdose in the Northland is not slowing down. Five people died in the Duluth area in January alone, and across the bridge in Superior overdose calls are becoming more frequent – and often police officers are the first ones on scene. Now, even the smaller law enforcement agencies are now faced…

‘Bite Squad’ Food Delivery Service Launches in Duluth

Bite Squad food delivery started in 2012.

DULUTH, Minn.- A new Minneapolis-based food delivery service has come to Duluth. Bite Squad celebrated its launch in the Northland at Crooked Pint Ale House. The company started in 2012 and delivers in more than 300 cities nationwide. Representatives said they saw a demand for food delivery service in the Northland because of the high number of tourists and locals. “I…

Northland Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day Ceremony

Every year, the Northland Vietnam Veterans Association observes Memorial Day on May 30th.

DULUTH, Minn. – Thursday night the Vietnam veterans memorial in Duluth became a place to honor the 136 Northlanders killed in the war. Every year, the Northland Vietnam Veterans Association observes Memorial Day on May 30th. Organizers say the positive response at ceremonies like this one means a lot for Vietnam veterans who came back from war to face unfair…

Great Lakes Aquarium Gets Funding for Updating Popular Program

The Great Lakes Aquarium has received some much needed funding help for one of its major exhibits.

BY MITCH ALBERS, fox21news@kqdsfox21.tv DULUTH, Minn.-The Great Lakes Aquarium has received some much needed funding help for one of its major exhibits. The iconic H2O exhibit has received $150,000 dollars from the state. Aquarium staff say the program, which focuses on getting a hands-on experience for how water shapes our lives, was in need of some big upgrades including making…

Shipping Season Picks Up at the Duluth-Superior Port

The Duluth-Superior Seaway Port Authority has won the Pacesetter Award more than 15 times.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Shipping season is starting to picking up after it had a slow start in March from all that ice that was on Lake Superior The Port Authority says they have seen about a ten percent increase in cargo shipping out of Duluth and Superior. They say the pickup is due to slightly more demand for iron…

An Americorps Program Restores Aging Rock Wall at Harrison Park

The rock wall restoration is expected to be completed by June 5th.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps works with 18–25 year old AmeriCorps Members to revive historic parks and structures in local communities. Corps members and Northern Bedrock group leaders spent the day breaking down a rock wall in Harrison Park. The project will replace deteriorating mortar joints and missing rocks, after years of aging. AmeriCorps members from…

K9 Luna Graduates From St. Paul K9 Academy

DULUTH, Minn. – After 13 weeks of rigorous training, K9 Luna and her handler Officer Aaron Haller have graduated from the St. Paul K9 Academy. K9 Luna will be the first female K9 at the Duluth Police Department. “During the graduation K9 Luna demonstrated agility and great restraint before apprehending a suspect,” the Duluth Police Department said. Officer Haller had…

FedEx to Deliver 7 Days a Week to Satisfy Online Shoppers

FedEx Announced the Moves Thursday

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)(AP) – FedEx plans to deliver packages seven days a week starting next January as it tries to keep up with the continuing boom in online shopping. The company is also taking back nearly 2 million daily deliveries to homes that are currently handled by the post office. FedEx says shifting SmartPost packages back to its…

Walz Signs Education Budget Bill Passed in Special Session

Walz Signed the Bill Thursday

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has signed a $20 billion education funding bill approved by lawmakers in last week’s special session. Walz signed the bill Thursday at Bruce Vento Elementary School in St. Paul. The bill includes an increase in per-pupil state aid to public school districts of 2 percent in each year of the two-year…

R. Kelly Charged With 11 new sex-Related Crimes in Chicago

CHICAGO (AP) – Prosecutors charged R&B singer R. Kelly on Thursday with 11 new sex-related counts, including some that carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, making them the most serious against him. Cook County prosecutors charged the Grammy award-winning singer with four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, two counts of criminal sexual assault by force, two…

Two Injured in Cass County ATV Crash

Alochol is Believed to be a Factor in the Crash

CASS COUNTY, Minn. – Two people were injured after an ATV crash Wednesday night in Cass County, Minnesota. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says they were notified by the Deer River Essentia Health Emergency Room of two individuals being treated from an ATV crash on the Soo Line Trail near Boy River. Responding officers learned 21-year-old Benjamin Swankier of Remer…

Victim Identified in Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident

Police Continue to Investigate the Incident

(courtesy: Facebook) DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department has identified the victim of the fatal hit-and-run accident in West Duluth on Tuesday evening. Authorities say 30-year-old Peter James Seppanen of Esko was driving his motorcycle up 40th Avenue West when it was struck by a car that witnesses say crossed over the center line. Police say Seppanen was pronounced…

Suspect in Fatal Park Point Attack Pleads Guilty

Sentencing is Scheduled for June 17

Darrel Mayhew DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man accused of burglarizing, robbing and killing 70-year-old Park Point Larry Watczak in January pleaded guilty Thursday morning to second-degree murder without intent. Larry Watczak According to court records, charges of first-degree aggravated robbery and first-degree burglary were dropped in a plea agreement against 30-year-old Darrel Mayhew. Mayhew is accused of violently attacking…

Midday Update 5-30-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, May 30, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, May 30, 2019. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, weather