CLOQUET, Minn. – The Chmielewski Funtime Band has been performing for six generations. Florian Chmielewski, one of 15 Chmielewski kids, continues leading the band and playing polka music to adoring fans. Even on his 97th birthday, he was in Cloquet, busy playing his accordion with his band. “It’s so much fun,” said Florian. “I bring happiness to wherever I go…
Many of us have kicked around in the garage and found that old garden hose that isn’t any good anymore. But what if you’re in the local fire station and it’s fire hose you’re talking about? Well, you take it to the zoo–of course! At least that’s what Duluth firefighters were doing Wednesday. Unique items and play toys–often known in…
LUTSEN, Minn. — The Minnesota State Fire Marshal has released details of an inspection that took place at Lutsen Resort Lodge last summer. This comes after an early Tuesday morning fire took out the entire building. According to the release, 7 violations were found, 4 of which the property owner had repaired. Authorities say it is too soon to determine…
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan border package Wednesday, scuttling months of negotiations with Democrats on legislation intended to cut back record numbers of illegal border crossings. Many Republicans said the election-year compromise wasn’t enough, even as supporters of the bill insisted it was the best possible in divided government. The 49-50 vote, far short of the 60 ayes…
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A Marine Corps helicopter that had been missing with five troops aboard as an historic storm continued drenching California was found Wednesday morning in a mountainous area outside San Diego. The aircraft was located just after 9 a.m. by civil authorities near the mountain community of Pine Valley, about a 45-mile (72-kilometer) drive from San Diego but rescue…
Click the video above to watch FOX 21 Local News at 9’s coverage of the historic Lutsen Lodge fire. Categories: Business, Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, News Update
SUPERIOR, Wis. — A new year comes with a new beginning. The Wasabi Japanese Restaurant in Superior is being rebuilt after it burned down last year in late January. Officials say it took 7 hours to put the fire out. The building on Tower Avenue was damaged beyond repair. The manager of the restaurant Sandra says she is looking forward…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – At least 100 people rallied outside Superior’s City Hall Tuesday evening in support of the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC). The natural gas-powered electrical plant had unanimous support by the city council and Mayor Jim Paine in 2019, but over the last year, Mayor Paine and some council members have been working to stop the project….
Under the February gray skies of Lake Superior’s North Shore, was the black and white aftermath of what once was. Volunteer firefighters from every small community we’ve driven through along that shore were still at the fire scene in the morning. But shortly after midnight, by the time they had arrived from up and down the shore, the wood and…
FOX 21’s sister station, FOX 9 in Minneapolis was in Lutsen to cover the historic fire at Lutsen Lodge on Tuesday. Click the video above to see FOX 9’s drone views of the aftermath. Categories: Business, Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News
Click the video above to view striking photos of the historic Lutsen Lodge fire. FOX 21 thanks WTIP North Shore Community Radio and EMS Kate Batten for allowing us to air these photos. Categories: Business, Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News
The general manager of Lutsen Mountains, Jim Vick, was sympathizing with the staff at the nearby Lutsen Lodge Tuesday as they deal with the loss of the structure to fire. Vick dealt with a massive fire in June of 2023 when Lutsen Mountains’ Papa Charlie’s restaurant went up in flames. The memories at the beloved restaurant hangout turned into ashes….
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar reacted the Lutsen Lodge fire Tuesday — a place she and her family have visited. Klobuchar called the fire “heartbreaking.” She said she’s been in contact with resort’s general manager and was encouraged to hear the resort will rebuild. In the meantime, Klobuchar said this is time to lean in and support the Lusten community. “Minnesotans…
The Lutsen Lodge, Minnesota’s oldest resort, was established in 1885 when Swedish immigrant Charles Nelson opened his small fishing camp and lodge. Business continued to grow through the years, but it was not always a smooth ride. Photos from the Cook County Historical Society show Lutsen in its very early stages. The lodge was destroyed by fire twice before. The…
Courtesy: Lutsen Resort LUTSEN, Minn. — A devastating fire broke out early Tuesday morning at the Historic Lutsen Lodge. Courtesy: Steve Bonin The Cook County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a fire alarm at the resort along the North Shore at 12:24 a.m. Staff from Lutsen Resort, which is Minnesota’s oldest resort, reported smoke coming from the floor in the…
(AP) — Toby Keith, a hit country crafter of pro-American anthems who both riled up critics and was loved by millions of fans, has died. He was 62. The “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” singer-songwriter, who had stomach cancer, died peacefully Monday surrounded by his family, according to a statement posted on the country singer’s website. “He fought his fight with grace and…
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan jury convicted a school shooter’s mother of involuntary manslaughter Tuesday in a first-of-its-kind trial to determine whether she had any responsibility in the deaths of four students in 2021. Prosecutors say Jennifer Crumbley was grossly negligent when she failed to tell Oxford High School that the family had guns, including a 9 mm handgun that…
ELY, Minn. — Minnesota photographer Chris Ellerbroek of Corvid Images provides a look at this year’s Ely Winter Festival. Click the video above for coverage on FOX 21 and click here for the full video. Categories: Community, Entertainment, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News
PROCTOR, Minn. — Atlas Games out of Proctor has been creating and publishing board and card games since the 90s. And within the past couple of years, the company has evolved to make games out of plastic waste. “You don’t realize it, that a lot of plastic you have that you think you are recycling properly, it just goes through…
DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man is facing two felony charges involving a stabbing case in West Duluth. The suspect is 44-year-old Charles Knauer. The stabbing happened around 2:15 a.m. Feb. 1 in an apartment building in the 6700 block of Redruth Street. Duluth police said the victim and suspect were in an altercation prior to the stabbing. The criminal…
A Virginia man was sentenced Monday for causing an alcohol and cannabis-induced crash last fall that killed a woman. David Medicine, 38, will face 41 months in prison for the crime, according to court records. Medicine was driving on Highway 169 during the evening hours when he slammed his vehicle into a pick-up truck that was sitting still in backed-up…
May 14th, the Duluth Public School district will once again be asking voters if they would pass a referendum. It would raise $5.2 million a year for ten years for technology needs. It’s not that long ago that blackboards, textbooks, and overhead projectors were as advanced as school technology got. However today technology is everywhere, with teachers and students now…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior police and fire responded to an out-of-control vehicle that slammed into a house Monday. The accident was reported around 3:30 p.m. in the 4100 block of East 2nd Street. The vehicle left the roadway, struck a house and then rolled over, according to officials. Superior police said the driver may have suffered a medical emergency prior…
A 26-year-old Duluth man died Sunday when his car rolled over. The man has been identified by Duluth Police as Logan Woock. Police say it happened on West Skyline Parkway in the 1400 block. Police received a call about 3:30 Sunday morning saying that a vehicle was off the road. When officers arrived, they found a car rolled over with…
DULUTH, Minn. — You can’t get much more Minnesotan than this. The International Fly Fishing Film Festival returned to Duluth for their sixth year. Although anglers looked forward to some big catches on the big screen, there’s a much more broader impact that this film festival leaves on our local water ways. “It’s a big fundraising event for both Gitche…
RICE LAKE, Minn. — The warm weather brought some concerns over the winter frolic in Rice Lake. But thankfully, Rice Lake city park had more than enough snow for some winter time activities. For the past five years, the city of Rice Lake has gathered their community for their winter frolic. This being their fourth year outside. Kids, parents, and…
PALO, Minn.– The Finnish Sliding Festival, also known as ‘Laskiainen’ returned for its 86th year in Palo Minnesota this weekend. With sleds at the ready people from across the northland gathered to enjoy the annual event. The festival isn’t just about the outdoor sledding fun, it’s also about celebrating the Finnish heritage. Dozens of vendors displayed their crafts, and there was…
NORTHOME, Minn. — Three people are dead and two others were fighting for their lives Sunday after a head-on crash in Koochiching County. The accident was reported just after 11 a.m. on Highway 1, west of Koochiching County Road 15 in Northome, which is about 70 miles southwest of I-Falls. The Minnesota State Patrol says Joseph Carlson, 27, of North…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — Two armored vehicles were deployed around a home in Superior Saturday morning after police say a man was threatening his girlfriend with a rifle. The incident began just after midnight at a home in the 1200 block of Birch Avenue. “A female caller reported she had been in an argument with her boyfriend, during which he threatened…
DULUTH, Minn.– The 7th annual Cold Front brought the snow to Bayfront Festival Park amidst a warm spell this winter. Duluth Parks and Recreation started the winter event to get people outside during the cold months. Despite the odd weather in the northland, Cold Front continued, with a few changes. A few activities were canceled, but snow was brought into…
DULUTH, Minn. — A winter with warm temperatures and minimal snowfall has significant impacts on the environment. We talked to a specialist about how ice and water are affected during mild winters. UMD Professor Jay Austin works at the Large Lake Observatory at the college, he says the northland’s unusually warm temperatures can result in environmental and economic delays. Austin…
DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Power says it is adding six new electric vehicles to its fleet as part of its commitment to the climate. Minnesota Power is in the early stages of switching a large portion of its current fleet to electric vehicles. Five electric Chevrolet Silverado pickups and an electric Volkswagen were shown as part of the fleet Friday….
DULUTH, Minn. — The weather recently may have some people believing summer is just around the corner. And for those people visiting Canal Park, their confusion may grow when they see that Chachos Taqueria is already open. In the past, Chachos was just a warm weather spot offering Mexican food Now, Chachos has purchased the building next door and has…
DULUTH, Minn — Believe it or not, Chester Bowl will hold its first race of the year on Sunday, February 4th. The Executive Director of the Chester Bowl Improvement says yes, they have snow. The races begin at 1:15 on Sunday and feature races for skiers, snowboarders, and snow skaters. Generally, between 100 and 150 racers take part in the…
DULUTH, Minn. — Late Friday afternoon the Duluth Parks and Recreation Division, in collaboration with the Superior Hiking Trail Association and the cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores, recommends that all dirt trails be closed. The warm weather during the day and overnight below-freezing temperatures have created very wet and vulnerable soil conditions. Walking or riding a bike on the…
DULUTH, Minn. –Lake Superior College is helping make sure kids have a bright smile. The Dental Hygiene Clinic at LSC is participating in the “Give Kids a Smile” campaign. The event is all about providing free full-service dental care to children 18 and under who are from low-income families and don’t have access to it. Dental partners donate plenty of…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. –Hermantown police are investigating an armed, overnight burglary and car theft. Police say it is an active investigation, but confirm that there was a burglary at Autobahn Sales and Service on the 5400 block of Miller Trunk Highway. The General Manager Of Autobahn told FOX 21 a Cadillac was stolen from the property. Police say the burglar was…
DULUTH, Minn. — A school bus and an SUV were involved in a crash Friday afternoon at the intersection of 4th Avenue East and 5th Street. The crash happened shortly before five PM. The Duluth Police Department told Fox 21 that a Voyageur school bus carrying some students associated with Edison Schools and an SUV were involved in the crash….
Even with the mild winter, concern over grass and forest fires might seem a ways off. But that is not delaying the Minnesota DNR in looking for additional wildfire fighters. The agency says it is looking to fill two different kinds of positions. One is Smokechasers. No experience is needed and those hired would be trained. The schedules are flexible,…
NEW YORK (AP) — Carl Weathers, a former NFL linebacker who became a Hollywood action movie and comedy star, playing nemesis-turned-ally Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” movies, facing off against Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Predator” and teaching golf in “Happy Gilmore,” has died. He was 76. Matt Luber, his manager, said Weathers died Thursday. His family issued a statement saying he died “peacefully…
DETROIT (AP) — Tesla is recalling nearly all of the vehicles it has sold in the U.S. because some warning lights on the instrument panel are too small. The recall of nearly 2.2 million vehicles announced Friday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is a sign of stepped-up scrutiny of the electric vehicle maker. The agency also said it…
(AP) — A stretch of unusually warm weather has forced federal officials to suspend researchers’ annual wolf-moose count in Isle Royale National Park for the first time in more than six decades. Isle Royale is a 134,000-acre (54,200-hectare) island situated in far western Lake Superior between Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Thunder Bay, Canada. The park is a wildlife biologist’s dream…
Maurices Downtown Duluth Headquarters DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth-based retailer Maurices says it has made the “painful” decision to lay off 10 percent of its corporate office positions. Maurices told FOX 21 on Thursday that 14 associates are being impacted at the downtown Duluth office, and 29 employees from its Brooklyn, New York design office and remote workers. Maurices Chief Administrative…
Press Release: The Pine County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Gerald Knapp, age 86. On Feb. 1 the Pine County Sheriff’s Office took a missing person report stating that Knapp was last seen Jan. 28 around 10 a.m. leaving Askov, Minn., headed southbound on County Road 142 (also known as Beaver Tail Road). He was driving…
DULUTH, Minn. –The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Advanced Materials Center received a $1,000,000 gift from the Advanced Drainage Systems Foundation. ADS is one of the largest plastic recyclers in North America and provides septic wastewater solutions. UMD Chancellor David McMillan, said this is likely the single largest gift the Advanced Materials Center has received. The Director of Sustainability at ADS,…
SUPERIOR, Wisc. — There has been a rash of fires in the Royalton Manor Apartment building complex over the last month and that has residents and city officials concerned. Since the end of December, the Superior Fire Department has counted four fires at the apartments. Fire Battalion Chief, Joe Tribbey, said the fires have been relatively small. “Since about December…
SUPERIOR, Wisc. — The Superior High School Boy’s Basketball Team presented a check to one of their biggest fans today. The donation was all a part of the team’s annual cancer awareness game. Through a silent auction, raffle, bake sale, and t-shirt sales, the team raised $6,594. That money went to local basketball fan Amelia and other pediatric patients in…
The mild winter we’re having has been a mixed bag for a certain group of outdoor enthusiasts. Between Duluth and the Iron Range is the Sax-Zim Bog. It’s a popular hangout for both humans and critters that like the woods, water and sky. Perhaps best-known for its owls, the bog is actually home to a cross section of bird life….
SUPERIOR, Wisc. — Not feeling the Valentine’s Day spirit? The Humane Society of Douglas County might just have a solution for you — not to mention a way to do some good. Now through Valentine’s Day, you can put the name of an ‘un-special’ person, place, or thing on a ‘poo heart’ that will go — you guessed it —…
DULUTH, Minn. — Jonathan Thornton has been fascinated by the electric vehicle industry for many years. He is a recent owner of an electric vehicle buying his sedan just a few years ago. Thornton says his parent’s sensibility around environmental issues provided the foundation for his interest in getting his first electric car. And when his kids bought one, he…
