News

Additional Exposure Charges Filed Against Ex-Superintendent

Staska was Arrested and Released on March 21

(courtesy of Fox9)COLD SPRING, Minn. (AP) – The former superintendent of the Rocori School District is facing additional charges of indecent exposure. Eight more counts have been added to 10 previous charges of indecent exposure filed in Stearns County against Scott Staska. The St. Cloud Times says the additional charges are connected to incidents that happened in St. Cloud between…

One Injured, Suspect in Custody in Florida School Shooting

One Student was Shot in the Ankle

OCALA , Fla. (AP) – Authorities say one student shot another in the ankle at a Florida high school and a suspect is in custody. The Ocala Star-Banner reports the shooting happened Friday morning at Forest High School which was on lockdown. The injured student was taken to a local hospital. Police say the suspected shooter is also a student…

Wells Fargo to pay $1B for Mortgage, Auto Lending Abuses

Wells Fargo was Also Fined $100 Million in September 2016

NEW YORK (AP) — Wells Fargo is being fined a combined $1 billion by two federal regulators for abuses tied to its mortgage and auto lending businesses. The bank will pay $500 million to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, its main bank regulator, as well as $500 million to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This is the…

Construction Halted On Already Delayed MN Slip Seawall; Irvin, Vista Affected

Continued Delays Center Around Slip's Historical Preservation Review

DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 has learned the William A. Irvin and Vista Fleet – two of Duluth’s top tourist attractions – might not be fully open for business as the upcoming tourism season begins – a season that usually get underway in less than two weeks in May. The uncertainty of the Vista and Irvin’s normal operations centers around…

North Pole Heroes

50th Anniversary of the Plaisted Polar expedition

DULUTH, Minn.- The Plaisted Polar Expedition all started because two men came up with the idea over dinner at the Pickwick here in Duluth fifty years ago. Ralph Plaisted and Art Aufderheide assembled a six man crew and a plan to snow mobile their way to the north pole. They certainly were the first to accomplish their feat and it’s…

CSS Students Working To Pass Resolution On Plastic Bags and Straws

The organization, Bag it Duluth is hoping schools like University of Minnesota Duluth, University of Wisconsin–Superior and Lake Superior College will follow suit with this initiative.

DULUTH, Minn. – Students from the College of St. Scholastica (CSS) are taking matters into their own hands when it comes to the use of plastic on its campus. Students are working with school administration to pass a resolution called “Building a Sustainable CSS.” It includes a fee of $0.10 for plastic bags that students would be responsible for paying…

Veterans Provide Consistency Amidst UMD Roster Questions

Comments From Head Football Coach Curt Wiese

DULUTH- After last seasons campaign was racked with injuries there’s plenty of question marks heading into Friday’s spring game. The biggest being which one of UMD’s three starting quarterbacks will take the reigns this coming fall. Last season, Juniors Mike Rybarczyk and Ben Everhart both suffered injuries after emerging as front runners for the full time gig. At the end of the…

Local Student Discusses Gender Neutrality at State Tournament

The Denfeld High School speech team qualified for the state tournament.

DULUTH, Minn.-  Students at Denfeld Highschool are speaking out for what they believe in at a state level competition. The Denfeld Highschool speech team qualified for the state tournament. The five students are competing in St. Paul on Friday, April 20th. One student is using this platform to speak-out on gender neutrality. “It’s really nice to be able to share…

Education Leaders Discuss Helping Kids Experiencing Trauma

Organizers believe educating a variety of organizations using the same message, helps with consistency.

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s a common concern for educators trying to find the best way to reach students facing tough situations in their lives. Education leaders from across Northland spent Thursday learning how to better handle these students. The conference is not only a space for educators to learn as a team but also a chance to share experiences. The Early…

Enbridge Line 3 Protesters Attend Pretrial

This comes after protesters locked themselves inside Wells Fargo back in January.

DULUTH, Minn.-  The controversial Enbridge Line 3 battle continues as three protestors attended a pretrial hearing on Thursday, after chaining themselves to Wells Fargo back in January. Protestors Michael Niemi, Ernest Burbank, and Scot Bol are facing misdemeanors of disorderly conduct, trespassing, and obstructing the legal process. They pleaded not guilty at St. Louis County Court. Defendants say they aim…

Rudy Giuliani to Join Trump Legal Team in Russia Probe

Guiliani Fills the Void Left by Attorney John Dowd

(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)WASHINGTON (AP) — Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is joining the legal team defending President Donald Trump in the special counsel’s Russia investigation, a Trump attorney said Thursday. With the addition of Giuliani, Trump gains an experienced litigator and former U.S. attorney in Manhattan. Trump is looking to bring his involvement with special counsel Robert…

Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Announces Going out of Business Sales

The Sale Will run for 10 to 12 Weeks

(Jack Hanrahan/Erie Times-News via AP)MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. announced in a release today that the company’s going out of business sales will begin tomorrow in 212 stores and e-commerce websites. The sales will run for 10-12 weeks in stores and online. The liquidation sales come after the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware approved an agreement…

Ten Days old, she Makes Senate History in her Pink cap

New Rule Made Maile the First Newborn to Appear in Senate

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)WASHINGTON (AP) — Tiny Maile Pearl made Senate history Thursday without making a sound. The tightly wrapped 10-day-old baby, brought to the well of the chamber by her mother, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, became the first newborn to appear there, just one day after the Senate approved a new rule permitting it. “It’s about time,” the Illinois Democrat and…

Judge Rejects Cosby Team’s bid for Acquittal

Defense Asked the Judge to Clear Cosby

Bill Cosby (Reuters) NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) – Bill Cosby’s lawyers have lost another bid to cut his sex assault retrial short. Judge Steven O’Neill rejected a defense motion that he acquit Cosby and send jurors home. The defense asked the judge to clear the 80-year-old comedian after prosecutors rested their case Thursday afternoon. Cosby’s lawyers say prosecutors haven’t proved charges…

Father Charged With Causing Death of 3-Year-old son

Authorities say the boy Died of Homicidal Violence

BRECKENRIDGE, Minn. (AP) – The father of a toddler who dies last week in Wilkin County has been charged with causing his son’s death. WDAY-TV reports 35-year-old Tracy Brant is charged with felony murder, third-degree assault and malicious punishment of a child in the death of 3-year-old Winter Barker. The child was found not breathing at the Breckenridge apartment April…

Prosecutor Closes Prince Death Case; no Charges

Evidence Shows Prince Thought he was Taking Vicodin

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The prosecutor in the Minnesota County where Prince died says he’s filing no criminal charges in the musician’s death. The announcement Thursday from Carver County Attorney Mark Metz means the state’s investigation into how Prince got the fentanyl that killed him is closed. It came hours after documents revealed a doctor accused of illegally prescribing an opioid…

Hibbing Police Investigating Alleged Armed Robbery

There Were no Injuries or Threat to the Community

HIBBING, Minn. – Three individuals have been taken into custody following an armed robbery of a female in the 800 block of East 41st Street in Hibbing. Authorities were dispatched to the scene on Wednesday afternoon where the victim stated she arrived at an apartment to meet a female acquaintance. According the victim while she was at the apartment three…

Chef Creates Award-Winning Stuffed French Toast

Cooking Connection: Bacon and Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – A local restaurant is touting a new title after a successful run at an international competition. Farley’s Family Restaurant got Second Place at the World Food Championships with their Bacon and Cream Cheese Stuff French Toast with Bananas Foster and Candied Bacon recipe. Kelly Trumpold, the Owner and Executive Chef of Farley’s Family Restaurant, showed FOX 21’s…

UW-Superior Students to Perform Comedy Musical

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"

SUPERIOR, Wis. – If you’re looking for a laugh in the coming weeks, you may want to check out UW-Superior’s performance of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The musical will be performed April 27-28 and May 4-5 at 7:30 p.m. and April 29 and May 6 at 2 p.m. in the Manion Theatre on the UWS  campus. Written…

Legal Leaders Take the Stage for Law Law Palooza

Fundraiser Supports Volunteer Attorney Program

DULUTH, Minn. – Local leaders found enforcing the law and fighting for justice during the day are letting their hair down for some fun. It’s the 6th Annual Law Law Palooza event at the Duluth Depot on Friday, April 20. The event supports the Volunteer Attorney Program. The event features musical performances by local judges, attorneys and justice partners, as…

Trump Admin Starts Plan to Drill in Arctic Wildlife Refuge

A Longtime Republican Priority that Most Democrats Fiercely Oppose

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration is moving toward oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A notice being published Friday in the Federal Register starts a 60-day review to sell oil and gas leases in the remote region. Opening the refuge to oil and gas drilling is a longtime Republican priority that most Democrats fiercely oppose….

One Injured in Virginia Drive-by Shooting

The Virginia Police Department is Asking for the Public’s Assistance

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Saturday evening the Virginia Police Department responded to Essentia Health in Virginia where an adult male presented for a gunshot wound to his lower leg. The male told investigators that he was shot at from a car driving by while he was walking on 2nd Avenue South. The incident took place around 8:45 p.m. Saturday evening. Authorities…

Prince’s Doctor Fined for Illegal Prescription

A News Conference Will be Held Today to see if Criminal Charges Will be Filed

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A Minnesota doctor accused of illegally prescribing an opioid for Prince a week before the musician died has agreed to pay $30,000 to settle a federal civil claim. The settlement comes as state prosecutors are planning to announce whether anyone will be charged in the two-year investigation into Prince’s death. Prince died on April 21, 2016, from an…

Wisconsin Unemployment Remains at Record-low 2.9 Percent

There Were Nearly Three Million People Working in the State in March

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin’s unemployment rate remains at a record-low 2.9 percent for a second month. The state Department of Workforce Development reported Thursday that the rate for March remains unchanged from the 2.9 percent in February. That was its lowest level since July 1999. The report shows the state added 8,900 private sector jobs between February and March….

Diaz-Canel Replaces Raul Castro as Cuba’s President

The Government is in the Hands of Someone Outside the Castro Family for the First Time in Nearly six Decades

(Irene Perez/Cubadebate via AP)HAVANA (AP) – President Mario Diaz-Canel has made his first speech as Cuba’s new head of state with a pledge to continue the socialist revolution led by his predecessors Fidel and Raul Castro. Diaz-Canel says in the nationally televised speech before the National Assembly that his first thoughts upon taking office are for the “historic generation” that…

Old Carnegie Library To Become Co-Working Space

The Carnegie Library will be Superior's first co-working space.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Plans for the first co-working space in the city of Superior are moving along inside the old Carnegie Library. The Carnegie Library located on Hammond Avenue has been vacant since 1993. On Wednesday, locals filled the old library to see the vision for the future work space. Co-working spaces are becoming more popular. An architect based out of…

Governor Dayton Celebrates UMD Bulldog Day at Statehouse

Wednesday is "UMD Men's Hockey National Championship Day"

The UMD Bulldogs National Championship win put the school and Duluth on the map, and now even Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton is giving them their own day. Governor Dayton a former division one hockey player for Yale, revealing at Wednesday’s press conference that the semi-final round of the Frozen Four kept him on the edge of his seat. He officially…

Northland Fishing Season Update

Duluth is one place ready to prove that a little ice won't get in the way and stop people from fishing.

DULUTH, Minn. – The fishing opener in Minnesota is May 12. A day many have been planning for to kick off their summer fishing season. But with Minnesota lakes still filled with ice, getting those boats out could be tough. But one shop in Duluth is showing us how it’s not too late to get a head start and is gearing…

Sandelin, Bulldogs Look to Future while in St.Paul

Comments from UMD Head Coach Scott Sandelin

ST.PAUL, Minn.- UMD Men’s Hockey Coach Scott Sandelin met with Governor Mark Dayton Wednesday and also responded to questions about next season and the future of hockey in Minnesota. Sandelin on next season, “Very excited about next year, we’re excited about the nucleus coming back, with young players and certainly our recruits that are coming in, but we know, like…

Snow Puts Off Lawn Prep

how the late snow storms are affecting local landscape businesses

DULUTH, Minn.- The snow is finally melting away, allowing landscape businesses to make a profit after a rough winter. We spoke with the owner of Denny’s Lawn and Garden in Duluth, he said snow came way too late this season, causing sales to decline. Now his fear is that people won’t bother coming in until next fall. “It’s real slow…

Kids Read to Dog

Kids are able to read to a dog to practice reading aloud without any pressure

DULUTH, Minn.- Children are learning to read aloud with a little help from a k9 named Tanzy. Tanzy and her owner, Carol, visit the West Duluth Public Library giving children who are just learning how to a read practice without any fear of being judged. “As much as parents and teachers and we all love the kids it can get…

Younkers Closing

Bon-ton stores officially headed to liquidation

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Its official, Bon–Ton stores is headed to liquidation, wiping out more than 200 stores nation wide, including the Younkers in Superior and Duluth. The department store chain originally only planned to close forty of its stores, but failure to compete with online retailers like amazon forced the company into debt and to file for bankrupcy. We’ve seen this happen before, major stores…

Feminist Action Collective Takes a Walking Tour of Duluth Lynching Sites

Tour Was a Fundraiser to Send Duluth Representatives to the National Lynching Memorial

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s Feminist Action Collective took a walking tour of the 1920 lynching of three black men in Duluth. The tour began at the old police station on East Superior Street and ended at the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial on East First Street. The tour is given to about thirty groups every year to help put the lynching…

Meteorologist Talks Weather with Future Scientists

FOX 21's William Seay spoke with second graders at Wrenshall Elementary School.

DULUTH, Minn.- Our very own William Seay informed our future scientists what it’s like as a meteorologist. William spoke with second graders at Wrenshall Elementary School. Students are currently learning about weather in class. Their teacher says hearing from an expert gives students a better perspective. Weather is taught in the spring because here in the Northland, you never know…

Nanny Convicted of Killing Kids Wipes Away Tears

The 55-year-old Faces Life in Prison

(WYNY-TV/Pool Photo via AP, File) NEW YORK (AP) – A nanny convicted of stabbing two children to death at their New York home while their parents were away cried while being led out of a courtroom. Yoselyn Ortega bludgeoned 6-year-old Lucia Krim and 2-year-old Leo Krim in October 2012 while their mother was taking a sibling to a swimming lesson…

Phifer Exits Race for 8th Congressional District

Phifer Says she Will not Endorse a Candidate at This Time

ISANTI, Minn. – Leah Phifer has decided to not move her candidacy forward into a DFL primary election. Phifer announced today, “My goal, since first declaring my candidacy in October 2017, has always been to win the DFL endorsement, bring new voices to the table and strengthen the party. A divisive primary season would only serve to weaken the party…

Largest Maker of Bump Stocks Will Stop Accepting Orders

The Announcement Comes About a Month After President Donald Trump Said his Administration Would “ban” Bump Stocks

(AP Photo/Allen G. Breed, File)LOS ANGELES (AP) — The largest manufacturer of bump stocks, which allow semi-automatic weapons to fire rapidly like automatic firearms, announced Wednesday that it will stop taking orders and shut down its website next month. The announcement comes about a month after President Donald Trump said his administration would “ban” bump stocks, which he said “turn…

Sandy Hook Families File Suit Against Infowars’ Alex Jones

Jones Believes the Lawsuits Will be Thrown out

YoutubeHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – The families of two children slain in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre have filed lawsuits against right-wing radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones for claiming the shooting did not happen. The defamation lawsuits were filed in Texas. That’s the home state of Jones’ media company, Infowars. Neil Heslin, the father of Jesse Lewis, and…

Possible Criminal Charges in Prince Death

Prosecutors Will Announce Tomorrow Possible Criminal Charges

(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, File)MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota prosecutors are planning an announcement in their two-year investigation into Prince’s death from an accidental fentanyl overdose. Carver County Attorney Mark Metz was scheduled to announce a charging decision at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, including whether anyone would be charged. Prince was 57 when he was found alone and unresponsive in an elevator at…

Bon-Ton Will Close all Stores

Liquidators Take the Winning bid at Auction

DULUTH, Minn. – Bon-Ton Stores Inc. is officially closing its stores across the country. Liquidators took the winning bid at Tuesday night’s auction and a hearing by the Bankrupcty Court to approve the sale is expected today. In a release President and Chief Executive Office, Bill Tracy said, “While we are disappointed by this outcome and tried very hard to…

Sammy’s Pizza Celebrates 64 Years with Discount and Donation

DULUTH, Minn. – Today, Sammy’s Pizza will be selling pies for a good cause. Celebrating 64 years, Sammy’s Pizza is looking to give back to the community. When customers who purchase any 14′” or larger pizza can buy a 12′” one-topping pizza for only 64 cents. On April 19, in honor of those who have served in the armed forces,…

Minnesota man Acquitted of Murder Charge in Death of UW Stout Student

Convicted of Battery in the Death of Student From Saudi Arabia

MENOMONIE, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin jury has convicted a Minneapolis man of battery in the death of a student from Saudi Arabia but acquitted him on a more serious murder charge. Cullen M. Osburn awaits sentencing July 13 for a potential maximum of eight years in the death of Hussain Saeed Alnahdi, a junior majoring in business administration at…

Superior Middle School Hosts Third Annual Career Fair

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s never too early to start thinking about the future. That’s why Superior Middle School is introducing its students to the working world. The third annual eighth grade career fair took place Tuesday afternoon at Superior Middle School to help students get a feel for what they like and what they don’t like. “We tell them whether…

Tax Day Gets Extended due to IRS Website Error

DULUTH, Minn. – Tax filers have been given one extra day to file thanks to a glitch with the IRS website. People were not able to file online Tuesday morning and afternoon, but the IRS website is now back up and running. Apparently the problem was related to the “transmission” of tax returns from software providers like H&R Block and…

Dick’s Destroying all the Guns it Pulled From its Shelves

The Guns Will be Destroyed Instead of Returned to Their Manufacturers

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Dick’s Sporting Goods is destroying all the guns and accessories that it stopped selling earlier this year after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. The retailer said Tuesday that it is in the process of destroying all the firearms it pulled from its shelves, rather than trying to return them to their manufacturers. Dicks made headlines in…

CASDA Officially Launches Pet Foster Program

Donations and Foster Families Needed as Program Launches, Gains Popularity

DULUTH, Minn. – On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by a partner in the United States, according to the National Center Against Domestic Violence. Officials say it can be difficult to escape an abuser, especially when animals are involved. However, a new program at The Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse (CASDA) in Superior is looking…

Blown Southwest jet Engine Showed ‘Metal Fatigue’

The National Transportation Safety Board Sent a Team of Investigators to Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A preliminary examination of the blown jet engine of the Southwest Airlines plane that set off a terrifying chain of events and left a businesswoman hanging half outside a shattered window showed evidence of “metal fatigue,” according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Passengers scrambled to save the woman from getting sucked out the window that had…

Arrowhead Fly Fishers Club Teaches Casting at Monthly Meetings

Despite Cold Weather, Hearty Fly Fishers Are Out in Northland Rivers

DULUTH, Minn. – Despite the cold spring, some fly fishing has been happening out on the Brule River in Wisconsin and up the North Shore. The Arrowhead Fly Fishers have meetings every month where they teach people new to the sport how to cast. They welcome everyone at their events to learn more about fishing in the Northland. “For me,…