News

City Council Approves Gender Neutral Bathrooms on Park Point

Duluth city councilors voted unanimously to designate the two new bathrooms at the Lafayette Community Center as gender neutral

DULUTH, Minn. – New bathrooms at Park Point’s Lafayette Community Center will be gender neutral. During a special session Friday afternoon, Duluth city councilors voted unanimously to designate the two new bathrooms as gender neutral. The councilors tabled a vote during Monday’s meeting after councilor Gary Anderson spoke out about the original plan not including a gender neutral facility. “I’m…

Castile’s Mother Files for Entirety of $3M Settlement

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The mother of slain motorist Philando Castile has filed a petition to receive nearly all of a $3 million settlement in his death. Valerie Castile’s petition proposes she get $2 million, with the remaining $995,000 going to attorneys. A Hennepin Couny judge will review the petition Aug. 2. The Star Tribune reports  Castile sought to reach relatives…

Walker Declares State of Emergency for 17 Counties

MADISON, Wis. – Governor Scott Walker declared a State of Emergency, on July 21, for 17 counties following torrential rains that fell in western Wisconsin. Several counties will deal with potentially heavy rains once again Friday night. Gov. Walker, Adjutant General of the Wisconsin National Guard, Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Brian Satula, and Wisconsin DNR Deputy Secretary Kurt Thiede met…

MISSING: Kenneth Gordon, of Duluth

Last seen on July 18 in the 2500 block of Rice Lake Road

Kenneth Gordon DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating 63-year-old Kenneth Jay Gordon. Gordon was last seen leaving the 2500 block of Rice Lake Road around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18 in a small red or brown passenger vehicle. He has not been seen since. He is described as a Native American…

Two Dead in Longville, Minnesota House Fire

KEGO TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Authorities responded to the call of a fire around 12:30 a.m., Friday, July 21, at a residence in Kego Township, near Longville, Minnesota, according to the Cass County Sheriff’s Department. Crews arrived on scene to find a home fully engulfed, and efforts to extinguish began immediately. Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch reports that two females, one…

Trump Names Lawyer as New Acting Ethics Chief

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has named a veteran lawyer to oversee the government’s ethics agency until a new permanent chief is selected. The Office of Government Ethics confirmed Friday that Trump designated the agency’s general counsel, David J. Apol, to become its acting director. Apol worked on ethics programs for several federal agencies before he joined the OGE….

3 Prison Staff Hurt in Attack by Inmate

The Oshkosh Correctional Institution, seen June 2, 2017 after lockdown went in effect the day before. (WLUK) OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) – Corrections officials say three security employees are recovering following an attack by an inmate at the state prison in Oshkosh. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections says the attack happened Thursday evening at the medium-security Oshkosh Correctional Institution. Injuries on…

Police Shutdown Superior-Bound Lanes of Bong Bridge

UPDATE: Authorities have reopened the bridge as of 3:20 p.m. Police negotiators were successfully able to resolve the situation. The individual is being transported to the hospital for evaluation. DULUTH, Minn. – Southbound lanes heading into Superior on the Richard I. Bong Bridge have been shutdown by the Duluth Police Department at the request of the Minnesota State Patrol. Authorities…

Spicer Resigns as White House Press Secretary

(Evan Vucci, AP Photo)   WASHINGTON (AP) — White House press secretary Sean Spicer, President Donald Trump’s embattled spokesman during the first six months of his presidency, is resigning his position, according to two people with knowledge of the decision. Spicer’s decision appears to be linked to the appointment of a new White House communications director, New York financier Anthony…

Fundraiser to Support Duluth Police Department

Shield616 Aims to Provide DPD with Active Threat Response Gear

DULUTH, Minn. – Two organizations are coming together Saturday, July 22 as they fundraise to support local police. Debbie and Kevin Skifstad with Shield 616 visited FOX 21 to give more details on the fundraiser. Shield616 is a non-profit working to raise money to purchase gear for police. The goal of this fundraiser is to provide the Duluth Police Department…

Percy to Join Thomas at this Year’s ‘Day Out with Thomas’ Event

Events take place August 4-6, 11-13

DULUTH, Minn. – The North Shore Scenic Railroad (NSSR) is expecting to exceed record levels and organizers are preparing for their largest event ever. Presale numbers have already exceeded last year’s numbers, according to officials. This year Thomas the Tank Engine will be joined by his best friend Percy. The two engines from the Island of Sodor will join their…

Paddle Board Company Finds New Home in Superior

Active Adventures: North Shore SUP

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A Northland company providing opportunities for families to enjoy the lake has moved to a new location. North Shore SUP has found a new home at Barkers Island. The company offers hourly and day rentals and also gives guided tours and host parties. They also have boards for all ages and sizes. They are open 10 a.m. –…

Girl Attacked By Fish On Island Lake

This Isn't the First Animal Attack on the Lake

A family is sharing a cautionary tale for people who like to go for a swim in Northland lakes. Wednesday at Island Lake a young girl was sent to the hospital after being severely bitten by something in the water. It’s the same lake a woman was brutally attacked by another animal five years ago. The parents of an 11-year-old…

Adults Struggle Staying on the Bench

Western Duluth Little League battles overzealous parents and coaches

Duluth, Minn.- Sports can be a great tool for parents to teach their kids team work and sportsmanship but sometimes the adults could use a lesson of their own.     “We’ll post signs on the fence for example to just remind folks and spectators that these are young kids, this is a kids game and we’re here to have…

Cloquet Color Run Dedicated to Enthusiast

Cole Drechsler Loved Color Runs, so Rotary Club Honored Him

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Cloquet Rotary Club is ready for the city’s 4th annual Color Run. “It’s just a really fun event we do to raise money for community projects in the future,” said Junior Rotarian Holly McGinn. One of the Rotary Club’s three major fundraisers, Cloquet’s Color Run gets bigger every year. This year the Rotary Club decided to…

Deadly Intersection In Cloquet To Be Reconstructed

Some Cloquet Citizens Say No On Proposed Roundabout

Cloquet, Minn. The intersection of I–35 and Hwy 33 in Cloquet continues to be a problem. This as the Minnesota Department of Transportation thought they came up with an easy solution. They’re proposing to replace that dangerous intersection with a roundabout. Multiple fatalities and a handful of serious car accidents in just the last ten years is the reason MnDot…

Duluth Coffee Company Set to Open New Bar, Roasting Facility

The new space will also allow them to bring in a larger roaster, which will help make five times as much fresh coffee

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Coffee Company is close to opening up a new addition next to its downtown cafe. The expansion will feature a bar, showcasing local beer on tap and distilled spirits. The new space will also allow them to bring in a larger roaster, which will help make five times as much fresh coffee. Owner Eric Faust…

Storm Recovery, 1 Year Later

Hartley Nature Center and Minnesota Ballet experienced major damage during last year's storm

DULUTH, Minn.- Hartley Nature Center lost thousands of trees in the storm last year, and the entire park was closed for weeks. Tom O’Rourke, the Executive Director of Hartley Nature Center says the park was in full recovery mode for 3 months. Work included getting more than 1000 trees moved off of the parks trails, and fixing the Yurt that…

St. Louis River Alliance Celebrates

Millions Of State and Federal Bonds For River Clean Up

Duluth, Minn. The St. Louis River alliance celebrated Thursday after last months state bonding bill that passed and included millions of dollars for the estuary restoration project. The 25.4 million in funding also activates another 47.2 million in federal funds made available through the great lakes restoration initiative. With the money, the goal will be to accelerate the cleanup efforts…

New Trail to Connect Lincoln Park Middle School to Duluth Traverse

Volunteers worked to cut out the 700 foot trail from the hillside behind the school

DULUTH, Minn. – A group of cyclists traded in their bikes for shovels Thursday. Volunteers with COGGS , the Duluth Composite Team, and city staff spent the evening building a new trail, which will connect Lincoln Park Middle School up to the Duluth Traverse. The school approached COGGS with the idea for the trail hoping to get more kids from…

Finke’s Berry Farm Nearing Final Days

After 32 Years, Doug and Diane Finke will Retire from their Locally Owned and Operated Strawberry Farm

CARLTON, Minn. – Through the years, hundreds of hands have helped yield thousands of strawberries near the City of Carlton. Now, the owners of Finke’s Berry Farm are preparing to say goodbye. Owners Doug and Diane Finke believe there are only four or five more days left in the berry picking season. After cultivating their land and harvesting farm fresh…

Swimmers Beat the Heat at Pinehurst

Public Beach Packed with Swimmers on Hot Day

CLOQUET, Minn. – A sunny day across the Northland left many looking for ways to beat the heat. Cloquet residents lined up before noon to get into the Pinehurst Beach swimming area. Officials there say on a day like Thursday as many as 500 people could stop by for a dip at what’s known as a Cloquet gem. “People love…

Water Safety Expo Draws a Crowd

Event on Park Point Featured a Sand Mondeling Contest

DULUTH, Minn. – Park Point Beach was packed for the city’s Water Safety Expo. Duluth Parks and Recreation teamed up with the YMCA, the National Weather Service and Minnesota Sea Grant for a day of fun at the beach, including a sand modeling contest. “I saw some cool stuff out there,” said Kraig Decker, Duluth Parks Permit Coordinator. “I’m a…

Speed Limits to Increase on 4 Northeastern Minnesota Highways

WILL OFFICIALLY GO INTO EFFECT WHEN SIGNS ARE POSTED

Photo: MnDOTDULUTH, Minn. – Speed limits on four highways in northeast Minnesota will see a 5 mph increase within the next two to three weeks, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Speed limits will increase from 55 to 60 mph, and will go into effect when the new signs are posted. These highways will include: Aitkin County – Hwy…

Job Gains Push Total Minnesota Employment Above 3 Million

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Big summer job gains have pushed Minnesota’s total employment above 3 million for the first time in state history. The Department of Employment and Economic Development said Thursday that the state added 4,400 new jobs in June. That leaves the state’s unemployment rate at 3.7 percent – below the national average of 4.4 percent unemployment….

TMZ: Linkin Park Singer Chester Bennington Dies of Apparent Suicide

Chester Bennington of Linkin Park performs on stage at the iHeartRadio Album Release Party presented by State Farm at the iHeartRadio Theater Los Angeles on May 22, 2017 in Burbank, California (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for iHeartMedia).   LOS ANGELES (Fox 5 D.C.) – TMZ reports Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington has died. TMZ reports Bennington died of an…

Flooding Closes City, Causes Mudslides in Western Wisconsin

FOX 9 - KMSP

ARCADIA, Wis. (KMSP) – Residents in western Wisconsin are dealing with mudslides and high water after rain caused significant flooding overnight Wednesday. Rain caused the Turton River to overflow its banks, flooding neighborhoods in Arcadia, a town of approximately 3,000 people. Several hundred residents voluntarily evacuated their homes and businesses early Thursday, the Associated Press reported. The Red Cross has…

O.J. Simpson Up for Parole Today

Hearing Relates Back to Robbery Incident in 2008

Courtesy of Nevada Department of Corrections LOVELOCK, Nev.- Former football star and convicted felon O.J. Simpson will command the world’s attention once again Thursday when he pleads for his freedom on live TV. Simpson received a 33-year sentence in 2008 for an armed robbery involving two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room. The 70-year-old is asking Nevada…

Vietnam Veterans Asked to Share Stories for Records, Local Documentary

"The Wall that Heals" on Display in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Over the next few days a wall in Superior is honoring those lost in the Vietnam War. “The Wall that Heals” is at Barkers Island July 20–23. Vietnam veterans are being asked to share memories on Saturday July 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center. Crews will be available…

Sen. McCain Diagnosed with Brain Tumor After Clot Removed

Five-Year Survival Rate Placed on Type of Cancer Senator Has

WASHINGTON-Arizona Sen. John McCain has been diagnosed with an aggressive type of brain tumor. The 80-year-old Arizona lawmaker has glioblastoma, according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. That’s where McCain had a blood clot removed from above his left eye last Friday. He and his family are considering further treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation. According to the American…

Spicy Pulled Pork Carnitas with Cast Iron Bar and Grill

Cooking Connection: Sweet and Spicy Appetizer

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth bar and grill has a new chef and recently updated its menu. Cast Iron Bar and Grill has kept the staples, but added a few new options as well. Chef Mike from Cast Iron Bar and Grill cooked with the FOX 21 morning crew for this week’s Cooking Connection. FOX 21’s William Seay learned how…

Community Forum Raises Opioid Awareness In St. Louis County

Some Call It An Epidemic

Hibbing, Minn. The Hibbing community is doing their part to combat the opioid and meth problem in St. Louis County. Hundreds came out to hear from multiple agencies that deal with the problem head on. A panel consisting of representatives from St. Louis county public health, local law enforcement, attorney’s and even addiction survivors were on hand tonight. The panel…

60 New Recycling Bins Placed in Duluth

Grant through Snapple Program Funds Bins

You may have noticed something a little different around Duluth’s beaches and parks, 60 new recycling bins placed next to the trashcans. They’re part of a grant from Snapple’s ‘Keep America Beautiful Program.’ The recycling bins themselves are made from recycled products. “We wanted to provide this service, make it streamlined as possible,” said Robert Dunsmore. “So we put the…

Surviving The Boundary Waters Severe Weather

Meteorologist Brittney Merlot Takes Us Deep Into The Vast Wilderness When The Weather Turns Severe.

Meteorologist Brittney Merlot takes us back into some remote Boundary Waters locations that were in the direct path of severe weather. While talking to two survivors of the 1999 and 2016 blow down that brought 70-80mph winds through the wilderness and how they survived. “On my way to the lake a very large trees went over and it went over…

Mike Letica Honored for Service to Community Organizations

Mayor Emily Larson proclaimed July 19, 2017 as Mike Letica Day in the city of Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Families in West Duluth spent this warm summer evening by coming together to celebrate the community. A Day at the Wade helped raise thousands of dollars to support youth organizations in Duluth. Mike Letica helped organize the fundraising event and was surprised with a proclamation by Duluth Mayor Emily Larson and the Duluth Police Department, for his…

Vietnam War Memorial Arrives in Twin Ports

Since 1996, 'The Wall That Heals' has Traveled to More Than 400 Towns and Cities Across the United States

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The City of Superior came alive earlier Wednesday to welcome a piece of history into the Northland. From now through Sunday, Twin Ports residents will have the chance to walk through time and remember those who served for our country in the Vietnam War. “Our men and women deserve the military rights of all things from beginning to…

DBU Closing Hurts Veterinary Clinics in the Area

The Number of Vet Technicians Have Been Going Down Nationally

DULUTH, Minn.- Many industries and businesses in the Northland are impacted by the Duluth Business University closing, and local veterinarians say it could be a big problem for their clinics. The Duluth Business School had a popular Veterinary Technician course, and more than half of the technicians at North Shore Veterinary Hospital in Duluth, were DBU graduates. There is a…

Middle School Students Learn About Medical Field at Scrubs Camp

They Are Learning About Different Disciplines Through Hands on Activities

    DULUTH, Minn.- Around 60 middle school aged students from across the Northland attended Scrubs camp this year, to learn about different jobs that exist within the health science industry. Wednesday, the campers witnessed a mock car crash, and learned how first responders work in the time of an emergency. “It’s kind of fun to watch cause it’s very…

Ashland Man Arrested for Child Pornography

ASHLAND, Wis. – A seven month investigation that started with an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) tip, has led to the arrest of a male, according to the Ashland Police Department. Detectives from Ashland PD and the State of Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation executed a search warrant at an Ashland residence, resulting in the arrest of a 29-year-old male….

Lincoln Park Restoration Receives $750,000 from Department of Interior

The grant will help undeserved communities looking to plan, build, and enhance parks and other outdoor recreation facilities

DULUTH, Minn. – The U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service announced today that $750,000 was awarded to Minnesota through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program. The City of Duluth will now receive these funds for the Lincoln Park Restoration. The grant is part of $13.3 million, helping 22 cities in 17 states with projects looking to…

Spooner Man Dead after Motorcycle Crash

SPOONER, Wis. – Around 3:00 p.m., Saturday, July 15 Wisconsin State Patrol responded to the report of a motorcycle crash on County Highway A in the Township of Evergreen, west of Spooner. When officers arrived on scene, CPR was being administered to the driver of the motorcycle, who was pulseless and not breathing, according to to State Patrol. The driver,…

World’s Plastic Waste Could Bury Manhattan 2 Miles Deep

WASHINGTON (AP) – A cradle-to-grave study of global plastics finds the industry has made more than 9 billion tons of plastic since 1950. The research shows there’s enough left over to bury Manhattan under more than two miles of trash. Plastics don’t break down like other man-made materials, so three-quarters of the stuff ends up as waste in landfills, littered…

Minnesota Teen Missing for 40 Years Identified as Victim of John Wayne Gacy

DON BABWIN - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHICAGO (AP) – An Illinois sheriff’s office said Wednesday that it has identified a Minnesota runaway as one of the victims of serial killer John Wayne Gacy. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said in a news release that the remains of a person whose body was found under the crawl space of Gacy’s Chicago area home in 1978 were those…

Minnesota Petting Zoo Under Investigation after Child Death

SAMUEL KING - FOX 9 KMSP

EDEN VALLEY, Minn. (KMSP) – The Minnesota Department of Health is investigating how two children came down with a toxin-producing bacteria after one little girl died and her brother fights for his life. Out of an abundance of caution, officials asked the petting zoo to pull their farm animals from display. But, the investigation is still ongoing. Just days after Kallan Maresh started getting sick, she…