News

USA Hockey Requiring Neck Guards for Players and Officials 17 and Under Starting August 1st

DULUTH, Minn — Last October, much of the hockey world was shocked by the tragic death of a player. Former UMD Bulldog Adam Johnson died after his neck was cut by another player’s skate. Following the incident, the USA Hockey Congress began looking into rule changes related to neck protection for its hockey players. This past weekend they announced that…

One-On-One: Reinert Talks First Month As Duluth Mayor; ‘The Time Is Now’

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert is closing in on his first 30 days in office. And in his first sit-down interview since Inauguration Day, 53-year-old Reinert shares how the jobs is going so far, his management style and his lack of patience when it comes to the status quo. “You know, we need ‘the time is now’. Most…

Enbridge Energy Announces 650 Layoffs By March

(AP Photo/Jim Mone, File) Enbridge Energy has announced it is reducing its force by 650 people, according to an internal email sent to all employees. The Calgary, Albert-based company says the cuts will be completed by March 1. Enbridge has offices and operations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, including Duluth and Superior. Enbridge says the reduction will not impact safety within…

88-Year-Old Duluth Man Charged in Hit and Run

Criminal complaint says his vehicle lights were off, heard a "thump" and kept driving.

A man has been charged in the crash that severely injured a Duluth firefighter who was jogging. The criminal complaint filed Monday identifies the driver as 88-year-old Ronald Gene Myrdahl of Duluth. Myrdahl is charged with “Criminal Vehicular Operation–Great Bodily Harm–Driver Who Causes Collision Leaves Scene.” The complaint says Myrdahl was driving his minivan on Grand Avenue in Duluth about…

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Celebrates New Hires and Promotions

County goes from understaffed to hiring 49 new employees

DULUTH, Minn. — Nearly 50 St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office employees were recognized today as new hires or for recent promotions. The ceremony celebrated all different roles in public safety, including communications, court security, janitorial staff, and cooks. Sheriff Gordon Ramsey says they went from understaffed to recruiting what’s likely the most hires in a year. He said those honored…

Section Chief’s Academy Creates Leaders in Incident Management

The week of workshops teaches about leading during disaster

DULUTH, Minn. — This week, a hundred people from across North America gathered to become leaders in of incident management. The Incident Command System Section Chief’s Academy trains students in logistics, operations, planning, and more. And while event was put on by the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact, it didn’t limit its focus to just fires, according to Minnesota Department…

UMD Police Department Adds New Officers

DULUTH, Minn. — The University of Minnesota Duluth Police Department is now back to full strength as two officers were sworn in Wednesday afternoon. Police Chief Sean Huls says the UMD police force has eight officers. Wednesday’s addition was one brand-new officer and the other is a replacement for an officer who left. The new officers are Timothy Battaglia and…

Changes Coming to Weekend Bus Service

  DULUTH, Minn. — Last August the Duluth Transit Authority introduced its Better Bus Blueprint program. Since then the DTA has made some adjustments to its routes, especially on weekends. Wednesday it was announced there will be additional weekend service changes beginning Sunday, February 18th. The General Manager of the DTA Rod Fournier says, overall the new bus plans are…

YWCA Duluth Looking for More Members in New Program

DULUTH, Minn. — YWCA Duluth is looking for more participants in a new program that’s dedicated to making changes. The Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota is a statewide program for young women and gender-expansive youth. YWCA introduced the program in Duluth and provides members with the tools and skills needed to make change. The program has kicked off, but the…

Duluth Police Respond To Report Of Stabbing

DULUTH, Minn. — An alleged stabbing took place Tuesday night leaving one person in the hospital. The Duluth Police Department says at 9 p.m. they responded to a report of a stabbing at Chum. The victim, a 37-year-old man had a minor stab wound to his elbow and was transported to a local hospital. Police say at the same time…

Coffee Conversation: New Series Highlights the Impact of Aging Loved Ones on Duluth Families

DULUTH, Minn. — Local families in Duluth are the subject of a new television series, Inside Senior Living, taking viewers on an intimate journey into the lives of seniors and their loves ones as they navigate the process of aging and make decisions about living arrangements. Creator and Executive Director Melissa Fritz joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to talk…

Palestinian Cafe, Market To Open In Former ‘New London Cafe’ Building

DULUTH, Minn. – A Palestinian cafe and market is opening in Duluth, replacing a longtime restaurant that recently closed. That longtime favorite is New London Café in the 4700 block of East Superior Street. The new restaurant that’s moving in is called Falastin. For the past year and a half, Lyla Abukhodair, has operated Falastin as a pop-up restaurant to…

‘Nautical Bowls’ Coming To Duluth’s London Road

DULUTH, Minn. —  So-called “superfood bowls” are coming to Duluth as a fresh alternative to your meal choices. The company, Nautical Bowls, will be located in the area of 21st Avenue East and London Road. Company officials tell FOX 21 they are “currently in final site selection for this location.” Nautical Bowls is located throughout the Twin Cities and in…

Stauber Running Again for Congress

Announcement came Monday on a post from congressman's campaign.

Over the past week things have ramped up in Minnesota’s eighth district congressional race. The most recent development came Monday with Pete Stauber’s announcement that he will seek re-election. The congressman’s news did not come in a press release or press conference, but through his campaign’s post on social media. In the post, Stauber said in part, “…It’s not just…

2024 Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race Canceled

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. — An annual sled dog race in northern Minnesota has been canceled. The 2024 Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race had already been postponed from January 6th to February 10th. But due to lack of snow and above average temps for the near future the board of directors made the tough decision. According to the website, they…

Republican Joe Fraser Announces Campaign for U.S. Senate Seat

Fraser spoke at city hall today about his campaign and facing a three-term incumbent

DULUTH, Minn. — Navy veteran Joe Fraser has announced his campaign for Senate. The Republican candidate began his two-day press tour of Minnesota at Duluth City Hall this morning. He said his campaign will focus on border security and national debt. Fraser also criticized incumbent Democrat Amy Klobuchar. “It drives me nuts when people just assume that the incumbent is…

MnDOT’s Name A Snowplow Contest Winners Announced

MINNESOTA — The winners of the 2023-24 Name a Snowplow contest have been revealed. Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and MnDOT announcing this Tuesday. The newly named snowplows will be assigned to one of MnDOT’s 8 districts. More than 32,500 voters participated in the contest. There were 49 finalists to choose from. The winning names, in order of…

25th Anniversary ALS Circle Tour Postponed To Winter Of 2024-2025

DULUTH, Minn. — The 25th Anniversary ALS Circle Tour has been postponed. Event organizers announced this Tuesday due to record low snowfall the expedition will be pushed back to the winter of 2024-2025. The group of 6 would have been departing Duluth January 31st, going counterclockwise around Lake Superior and ending February 7th at the Black Bear Casino. All to…

New Superior Police Chief Sworn In

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — The Superior Police Department officially has a new Police Chief as Paul Winterscheidt was sworn in Monday morning. Winterscheidt is an 18-year veteran of the Superior Police Department and a graduate of U-W Superior. In an interview with Fox 21 in early December, Winterscheidt said he would continue and expand a program that’s designed to keep people…

Man Who Stole ‘Wizard of Oz’ Ruby Slippers Allowed to Die at Home

Judge's sentence is time-served and restitution for man with months to live.

The man who stole the ruby slippers of Wizard of Oz fame, now moves only by wheelchair and is on oxygen 24/7. Doctors give him only months to live. His attorney said Monday’s sentencing gives at least partial closure to investigators, the museum, and Terry Jon Martin himself–the man who confessed to stealing the slippers. “At the end of your…

Man Who Stole ‘Wizard of Oz’ Ruby Slippers Allowed to Die at Home

Federal judge agrees to sentence of "time served."

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — A dying thief who confessed to stealing a pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in “The Wizard of Oz” because he wanted to pull off “one last score” was given no additional prison time at his sentencing hearing Monday. Terry Jon Martin, 76, stole the slippers in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in…

Cloquet Police Release Update On Super 8 Motel Shooting Investigation

CLOQUET, Minn. — The Cloquet Police Department has released an update regarding the Super 8 Motel shooting incident that happened earlier this month. The shooting occurred January 8 with the shooter taking the life of 2 victims, 22-year-old Shellby Trettel of Cloquet and 35-year-old Patrick Jeffrey Roers of Deer River before taking his own life. The suspect is Nicholas Lenius,…

Bulldog Rocketry Puts Physics Into Action with Static Motor Test

DULUTH, Minn. — After a loss last year, UMD’s Bulldog Rocketry club is looking forward to competing in their third Spaceport American Cup since COVID. The event is hosted every year in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in June. Sunday, Bulldog Rocketry tested out a motor that they believe will help them place top in the competition.  “We’re going to do…

Amazon Distribution Center to Bring Economic Growth to Area

DULUTH, Minn. — Amazon is coming to Duluth– in the form of a distribution center. County records show the two large parcels of land purchased by Amazon are at Atlas Industrial Park. That’s where Ikonics’ former building is located and now houses Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, located along Commonwealth Avenue, between Morgan Park and Gary New Duluth. The…

Actor Timothée Chalamet Visits Drama Students in Hibbing

HIBBING, Minn.– About 20 Hibbing Drama students were preparing for their drama competition on Thursday afternoon when they received a surprise visitor from a noted actor. None other than Timothee Chalmet. Megan Reynolds, the Drama Coach at Hibbing High School learned just a day earlier that he wanted to visit. Chalamet stopped by Hibbing as he prepares to take on…

A Hockey Lovers Dream

  SUPERIOR, Wisc. –If you’re a Hockey Fan, especially a pro hockey fan, there will be an auction Saturday in Superior that could land you a piece of history. The personal collection of Jim Finley, the former president of the Hockey Hall of Fame will be offered for sale at Savings Auction in Superior beginning at 11 AM. Mickey Greene,…

Pedestrian Critically Injured In Hit-And-Run Is Duluth Firefighter; Driver, 88, Arrested

Raymond Skoglund DULUTH, Minn. –  FOX 21 has learned a pedestrian critically injured in a hit-and-run incident is a Duluth firefighter who joined the department in July of 2021. Raymond Skoglund Raymond Skoglund, 24, was struck by a vehicle Thursday around 5:45 p.m. on the 9500 block of Grand Avenue, according to Duluth police. Caleb Kittleson, a fellow Duluth firefighter,…

“Restore the Vote” Encourages Felons No Longer Incarcerated to Exercise Ballot Box Rights

Minnesota Secretary of State was in Duluth Friday to get the word out.

With another election season upon us, some will be voting for the first time, while others will have a chance to vote again—after a long time. Minnesota’s Secretary of State was in Duluth Friday for several Restore the Vote events, including at city hall. Steve Simon said one goal is to work with community leaders and citizens to get the…

Donna Howard Community Connect Offers Free Services In One Location

DULUTH, Minn. — Community members gathered at the Damiano Center in Duluth to receive much needed services all in one place. Traveling around town may not be easy for everyone, especially on a day like Thursday with icy roads. The Donna Howard Community Connect is a place for multiple providers to offer their services all for free. Organizations such as…

17-Year-Old Boy Robbed At Gunpoint In Virginia

VIRGINIA, Minn. — A 17-year-old boy was robbed at gunpoint in Virginia Thursday night. The Virginia Police Department says at 10:41 p.m. the report of a robbery came in near the 800 block of 5th Avenue in South Virginia. Authorities say the victim told police he was robbed at gunpoint by known acquaintances. The robbers took money and personal property….

Delayed Lincoln Park Housing Project Finds New Lender

Merge Development now plans to complete the apartment building this summer.

DULUTH, Minn. – The developer of a delayed housing project in Duluth told FOX 21 on Friday that he has found a new lender to get the job done this summer after significant delays. Urbane 218, as it is being dubbed, is located at 2011 W. Superior Street in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Rendering of Urbane 218 The site, which…

A Hockey Lover’s Dream

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — If you’re a Hockey Fan, especially a pro hockey fan, there will be an auction Saturday in Superior that could land you a piece of history. The personal collection of Jim Finley, the former president of the Hockey Hall of Fame will be offered for sale at Savings Auction in Superior beginning at 11 AM. Mickey Greene,…

Coffee Conversation: AICHO Hosts Love-Themed Market Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. — The American Indian Community Housing Organization is hosting its first-ever love-themed market on Saturday. The Zaagi’idiwin Tour 2024 will include 22 vendors offering love-themed art, merchandise, and pastries. The market is all about making Valentine’s Day gift shopping easy and less stressful. It’s all taking place at the Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center, 212 W. 2nd Street,…

Congressman Stauber Releases “Fact Check” On Blatnik Bridge

TWIN PORTS — Republican Pete Stauber of Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District was not at President Biden’s visit to the Twin Ports Thursday. Biden and democrats including Governor Walz have called Stauber a hypocrite for voting against Biden’s infrastructure bill, but taking credit, they say for the Blatnik funding in that bill. Congressman Stauber snapping back in a video online saying…

Amazon To Build Distribution Center In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Big development news out of Duluth.  Amazon is building a distribution center in the city. Location of Amazon site County records show the two large parcels of land purchased by Amazon are at the Atlas Industrial Park, between Morgan Park and Gary-New Duluth, along Commonwealth Avenue. Amazon will join Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, which recently…

President Biden’s Visit to Superior Highlights $1 Billion to Replace Blatnik Bridge

SUPERIOR, WI. — President Joe Biden gave a speech Thursday on Bidenomics and infrastructure investments, including plans to replace the aging Blatnik Bridge, at Earth Rider Brewery. President Biden arrived to a room filled with both Minnesota and Wisconsin residents. With the president came his campaign message, “investing in America.” “So I’m here to announce more progress that shows that…