News

Superior Mayor Discusses Kestrel Plant

According to Mayor Jim Paine, Kestrel Owes the City $2.2 Million from a 2012 Loan

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Mayor Jim Paine says Kestrel owes the city of Superior $2.2 million from a loan they were given in 2012. Since Kestrel’s forbearance agreement expired at the end of this August, they haven’t made a payment on the loan. Kestrel was expected to break ground by the Superior airport in 2013 for an aircraft manufacturing plant. The…

Minnesota Suing Over President Trump’s Decision to Stop Federal Payments to Insurers

Unclear How Much it Will Hurt Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota is joining a lawsuit over President Donald Trump’s decision to stop federal payments to insurers that had helped hold premiums down for people buying insurance under the Obama-era health care law. The White House announced late Thursday it would end the payments after months of speculation. States are preparing for premium spikes of 20 percent…

Northlanders to Remember Those Lost to Suicide

Saturday: 9th Annual Suicide Awareness Memorial Walk

CARLTON, Minn. – This weekend, hundreds of people in Carlton will be focused on breaking the stigma of mental illness as they take part in the 9th Annual Suicide Awareness Memorial Walk. It’s taking place on Saturday, October 14, 2017, from 9:30 -11:30 a.m. at Carlton High School in Carlton, MN. There will be a short, non-competitive, walk followed by…

Minnesota Pheasant Season Opens Saturday With Numbers Down

Pheasant Season Ends Jan. 1

MINNEAPOLIS-Minnesota opens its pheasant season Saturday with far fewer birds in the field than last year as a long-term decline in the state’s ringneck population continues due to the loss of habitat in farm country. The Department of Natural Resources estimates Minnesota’s pheasant population is down 26 percent from last year. The DNR says the key reason is a big…

Mountain Biking Through the Fall Colors

Active Adventures: The Duluth Experience

DULUTH, Minn. – Colorful leaves are filling trees throughout the Northland. So, for this week’s Active Adventures FOX 21’s William Seay took in the view from a mountain bike. Dave Grandmaison, Co-owner and CEO of The Duluth Experience, took William on the Duluth Traverse Trail. The Duluth Experience offers several tours to experience the Northland with outdoor sports tours, brewery…

Blizzard Tour Aims to Raise Another $1 Million for ALS Research

Snowmobile Tour Held their Annual Open House in Proctor

PROCTOR, Minn. – The Black Woods Blizzard Tour, a snowmobile race for ALS, is aiming to raise $1 million for the second straight year. Thursday night, they held their open house at Black Woods Event Center in Proctor. The event taught new riders more about the annual fundraiser. “It’s the friendships that you make, it’s the stories that you hear,…

Girl Scouts Leader Reacts to Boy Scouts Welcoming Girls

Girl Scouts Are Not Interested in Doing the Same With Boys

MINNESOTA – The Boy Scouts of America made a big announcement on Wednesday. Girls will be allowed to join Cub Scouts and will be eligible to become Eagle Scouts. We’re hearing from a different group about this: The local Girl Scouts. Leigh Ann Davis is the CEO of the local Girl Scouts Organization, the Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines….

CEO Talks About Why Superior Kestrel Plant Hasn’t Been Built

Alan Klapmeier Says Broken State Promises Are to Blame for The Aircraft Plant Not Being Built

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The CEO of Kestrel is blaming broken promises by the State of Wisconsin for the delay in the creation of a plant in Superior. Meanwhile, the state is moving forward with legal action against Kentrel Aircraft. The state says the company is in serious default on millions of dollars in loans that were supposed to be used…

Dump Off Fall Leaves at WLSSD

WLSSD Staff Say They Will Have New Drop-off Hours Next Week

DULUTH, Minn.-With winter just around the corner, leaves are falling off local trees at a rapid rate. Western Lake Superior Sanitary District is now here to help as they are taking in all sorts of fall trash. Whether its leaves, spoiled apples, or grass, WLSSD can turn it into fall compost. Staff at the organization said it’s better to take…

Lake Superior Brewing Has New Owners

One of the Old Owners Will Stay on as a Brewmaster

DULUTH, Minn.-Duluth’s Lake Superior Brewing has new owners. Life partners Lisa Blade and Lars Kuehnow said they plan on keeping many things the same while adding a few new beers to their lineup. They also want to get the word out more about all the Lake Superior Brewery has to offer. “What we bring to this new situation is the desire…

Superior Students Learn About Fire Fighting

Fire Department Will be Visiting Multiple Schools Next Week

SUPERIOR, Wis.-Some lucky kids in Superior today got a chance to learn all about how to fight fire. Superior fire fighters visited students at Great Lakes Elementary as part of “Fire Prevention Week.” This year’s theme is “Every Second Counts, Plan Two Ways Out.” The kids took part in a variety of activities including going into a “Burn House” to…

Aldi Opens Doors in Duluth

After Months of Construction, Aldi Duluth is Now Open for Business

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s official, grocery shoppers in the Northland now have one more Aldi location to add to their list. Thursday morning hundreds of people lines up to be the first ones through the door of the new Duluth location Now it’s time to grab your quarters and dig out the eco-bags. Store representatives say the Duluth location is…

Future of Telemark Looks Brigther

Feasibility Study Indicates Brighter Future for Telemark

CABLE, Wis.-The future of Telemark Resort is looking a little brighter. According to the results of a feasibility study released today, that location would be a prime place for a new resort. It had previously closed about four years ago, after being taken back by a bank. New owners then purchased it at auction and are now looking to sell…

Kestrel Owes Millions to City of Superior and State of Wisconsin

Owner of Kestrel Still Optimistic About Building Plant in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis.-The state of Wisconsin is moving forward with legal action against Kestrel Aircraft. The state says the company is in serious default on millions of dollars in loans that were supposed to be used to build a manufacturing plant in Superior. That plant was expected to break ground by the Superior airport in 2013 and bring more than 650…

MNDOT Warns to be More Cautious During Change of Seasons

26 Killed So Far This Year in Vehicle Crashes

DULUTH, Minn.-With more hours of darkness this time of the year, that means there is an increase in the number of pedestrian crashes and fatalities. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, motorists and pedestrians should use more caution during the fall and winter months. Twenty-six pedestrians have been killed so far this year. Sixty were killed last year and…

Enbridge Energy Defends Plan to Replace Line 3 Oil Pipeline  

The Project is Expected to Cost $7.5 Billion

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Enbridge Energy is disputing a state agency’s recommendation against the company’s proposal for replacing its aging Line 3 oil pipeline across northern Minnesota. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is considering whether to approve the project, which has aroused opposition from environmental and tribal groups. The state Commerce Department surprised both sides last month when it concluded that…

Lincoln Park Businesses to Open Doors for Annual Open House

Deals, Activities and Samples to be Offered Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Duluth is welcoming Northlanders from all over into their area of town to check  out what they have to offer. This is for the 2nd Annual Lincoln Park Open House. From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, thirty-plus businesses and organizations throughout Lincoln Park will host special…

Feds Grant Extension for Real ID Compliance in Minnesota

The Extension is Not as Long at Gov. Dayton Wanted

ST. PAUL, Minn.-The federal government has given Minnesota a little more time to comply with the Real ID law, but not as much as Gov. Mark Dayton and other state officials had requested. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has given Minnesota a grace period until Jan. 22. It allows Minnesotans to continue to use their driver’s licenses to get…

Duluth’s Best Bread Shares Story of Success After Two Years of Business

Cooking Connection: Duluth's Best Bread

DULUTH, Minn. – A local bread company that opened in Duluth in 2015 is sharing some of their secrets to success this weekend. Duluth’s Best Bread provides bread, croissants, cinnamon rolls, and more baked goods to the Duluth community. On Saturday, October 14, one of the company’s founders will speak about how they got started, and what has inspired their…

Duluth resident creates big haunted maze in yard

Derick Tomaich wants to create the Bentleyville of Halloween

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth resident Derick Tomaich is getting his yard ready to scare the Lakeside neighborhood. He built his very own haunted maze full of all kinds of horrors right in his yard. The “Lakeside’s Lost Souls” has a soft opening set for Friday the 13th, with the full opening happening Saturday. “Every year, I decorate my yard, and…

Superior Male Dancer Speaks About Fighting For Change

Non-Profit Legal Foundation Works To Change Policy That Prohibits Boys From Dance Team

A Superior High school Sophomore is reacting to the news that he could finally get his wish to compete in dance competitions in Minnesota before the season starts. As a freshman Kaiden Johnson made the superior dance team last year, but learned soon after that he wasn’t allowed to compete in competitions with Minnesota judges. The reasoning is that in…

Man Killed After ATV Rollover

SAGINAW, Minn. – A man died Wednesday after the ATV he was riding rolled. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as Gregry Gundy, 58, of Saginaw. Authorities said the accident happened on the 5400 block of Bear Trap Road. The cause of the crash appears to be human error, according to officials, and Gundy was not wearing…

‘Keep Everyone Warm’ Drive Collects Winter Items For Homeless

The group collected items such as food, clothes, hats and mittens.

DULUTH, Minn. – The fall chill is ramping up for the Northland, and a group is hoping to help keep people in need warm this season. On Wednesday, the “Keep Everyone Warm” drive was held at Duluth Dodge. Organizers were collecting items like warm winter clothes, sleeping bags and tents, as well as food and hygiene products, like towels and…

Tickets On Sale for Fur Ball Gala

Animal Allies Humane Society Will Host Their Annual Fur Ball Fundraiser Saturday, October 14

DULUTH, Minn. – The countdown is on as cats and dogs prepare to let their owners have a night on the town Saturday, October 14. Animal Allies Humane Society will once again host their annual Fur Ball Gala from 5:00 until 11:00 p.m. The event is the shelter’s larges fundraiser of the year. Marketing and Communications manager Michelle Sternberg says…

“Petal It Forward” A Nationwide Movement To Brighten The Day With Flowers!

Flowers And Smiles Filled The Air Of The Twin Ports As Free Flowers Were Given Away In Exchange For A Good Mood!

DULUTH, Minn. — A Nationwide Movement to “Petal it Forward” took place in the streets of Duluth Wednesday morning. As Engwalls Greenhouse employees stood outside of St. Lukes and Essentia Health, with over 800 flowers to give away! “It was exciting for us to give them away and then we see people’s faces light up, people give us hugs. But…

A Massive Pumpkin Arrives At Lake Superior Zoo

Grab The Camera And Take A Snap Of A 310lbs Pumpkin!

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s time to grab your camera as a massive pumpkin has made its arrival in the Northland! A 310-lbs pumpkin has made its home at the Lake Superior Zoo on Wednesday morning. After picking the beast up off of the truck and unloading in it’s new patch… we found out this massive pumpkins journey began in April,…

Fundraiser for American Legion Tonight in Proctor

Funds Will Go Toward Military Memorial Services

PROCTOR, Minn.-A Proctor Bar is stepping up today to help out the American Legion there. The Derailed Bar is taking in donations as the Legion is looking for $1,200 to cover memorial expenses over the next four years. Visitors will be given a burger basket, and then they can decide how much they want to donate to the cause. The…

‘Keep Everyone Warm’ Drive Today

Donations Will be Collected Through Sunday

HERMANTOWN, Minn.-The fall chill has already hit the Northland and that means the local homeless population needs your help. Helping stay warm is always a struggle this time of year for the disadvantaged, and today the “Keep Everyone Warm” drive was held at Duluth Dodge, to try and stop that situation. Organizers were collecting items such as warm winter clothes,…

Animal Answers: Fur Ball Gala to Support Shelter’s Foster Program

Animal Allies Will Host Their Annual Fur Ball Fundraiser Saturday, October 14

DULUTH, Minn. – The countdown is on as cats and dogs prepare to let their owners have a night on the town Saturday, October 14. Animal Allies Humane Society will once again host their annual Fur Ball Gala from 5:00 until 11:00 p.m. The event is the shelter’s larges fundraiser of the year. Marketing and Communications manager Michelle Sternberg says…

Boy Scouts to Welcome Girls into Program

They Will Admit Girls Beginning Next Year

NEW YORK-In a historic change, the Boy Scouts are announcing plans to admit girls into the Cub Scouts starting next year and to establish a new program for older girls using the same curriculum as the Boy Scouts. Under the plan announced Wednesday, Cub Scout dens – the smallest unit – will be single-gender, either all-boys or all-girls. The larger…

Lake Superior’s High Water Level Threatens Shoreline

Lake Superior Near Record High Water Level

DULUTH, Minn.-Lake Superior’s water level is near a record high after an unusually wet summer and fall in Minnesota. That’s leading to concerns about damage to its shoreline. The Star Tribune reports that the lake was about 603 feet (184 meters) above sea level in September, the highest point it’s reached since 1997. The high water level has damaged docks…

Church Closes in Cloquet

Many Members of the Church Have Found New Homes

CLOQUET, Minn.-St. Andrews Episcopal Church has closed its doors in Cloquet. A lack of members going to the church led to the closure – it had been open for nearly a century. Church leaders told us today that it’s sad to see the church close its doors, and they will have a hard time letting go of all the memories…

Duluth Police Reporting Deer Stands are Being Stolen

Trail Cameras Capture Images of the Thieves

DULUTH, Minn.-Duluth police are reporting that three deer stands were stolen from an area near Observation Road Sept. 11. A person reported last Thursday that the theft had occurred. It was the first time they had been to the location in a while, which caused the delay in reporting the crime. On some trail cameras near where the theft occurred,…

Fundraising Event will Support Breast Cancer Patients and Research

Sunday: Rockin' for Hope

DULUTH, Minn. – Many Northlanders will be rocking out this weekend at Clyde Iron Works for an important cause this weekend. It’s all to support Circle of Hope. Rockin’ for Hope is a fundraising event to benefit local breast cancer patients going through life saving treatments, and funding Stage IV breast cancer research at the University of Minnesota Medical School…

Harvest Moon Gala Supports Two Harbors Community Radio

KTWH Celebrates Two Years of Broadcasting

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – This weekend is your chance to enjoy a night out while supporting Two Harbors Community Radio. The Harvest Moon Gala is being held to benefit KTWH. On Saturday, October 14 the mainly volunteer-run group is inviting the public to the Two Harbors American Legion. There will be a sit-down dinner, silent auction and live music. If…

Vehicle Crash Closes Part of London Road

One Person Injured

DULUTH, Minn.-A vehicle crash at 54th Avenue East and London Road closed off part of that road earlier today. It happened at about 6:40 a.m. when a vehicle traveling northbound on London Road stopped to make a left turn on 54th Avenue East. That vehicle was rear-ended and pushed into a moving truck traveling southbound on London Road. One person…

Today: Support Homeless Through Community Drive

"Keep Everyone Warm" Holds First Annual Community Drive

DULUTH, Minn. – Today the community will be giving back to support the homeless in Duluth for the First Annual Keep Everyone Warm Drive. The event organizer, Mike Letica, says he’s done something similar to this for years, but wanted to include the whole community this year. Volunteers will collect a variety of items including tents, tarps, sleeping bags, canned…

Lawyers Threaten Legal Action After Boy Not Allowed To Dance

A Superior Student's Experience Catches Attention of Legal Non-Profit

A non-profit legal organization is threatening the Minnesota High School League to change one of their policies, or face a lawsuit. It’s an update to a story we brought you first on Fox 21 earlier this year. A high school male dance student, from Superior is able to compete in Wisconsin, but forced to sit out in Minnesota competitions because…

Chisholm City Councilor Accused of Groping Woman

CHISHOLM, Minn. – Chisholm City Councilor Kevin Scaia, 50, is being accused of groping a woman. The Hibbing Daily Tribune reports Scaia was at a local bar in Chisholm when he allegedly reached around a woman at the bar and grabbed her breasts. Scaia is set for court Nov. 30 on a fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct charge. Scaia and his…

Local Solutions to End Poverty forum held in Duluth

Duluth city council and school board candidates field questions from community

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth City Council and Duluth School Board candidates took part in a public forum on Tuesday. The Local Solutions to End Poverty forum was held at the Duluth Denfeld High School. Local candidates fielded questions from the community on topics related to education, housing and transportation. “The hope is that collaboration comes out of it between the…

Minnesota Power updates Hydroelectric system at Island Lake Dam

The construction crew consists of divers working underwater

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Power is currently undergoing a unique construction project on the Island Lake Reservoir. Crews are working  to replace several gates under one of its hydroelectric dams. It’s a two-year project aimed at modernizing the more than 100-year-old hydroelectric system. “It’s a once in 100 year project,” hydro operations manager Chris Rousseau said. “It’s not often that…

Northforce hosts Mentor Connection

The event connects college students with local business leaders

DULUTH, Minn. – Business leaders in the Northland met with college students from the area to mentor them in their potential career field. The Mentor Connection event happened at The Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth. Fifty–five students from UMD and St. Scholastica met with local business leaders and discuss ways to pursue their careers in the Northland. Northforce, an organization…

Forum Held on Enbridge Line 3 in Grand Rapids

Enbridge Faces Criticism from Multiple Sides

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.-Many people came out today to sound off on the Enbridge Line 3 replacement project. Today’s meeting in Grand Rapids was one of many public meetings that have been held throughout the state on the project. Recently the state’s Commerce Department came out against the project saying it’s not needed and won’t benefit Minnesota. Enbridge has argued that…

First Frost Blankets Local Golf Courses

Greens at Enger Park Golf Course Turned White Tuesday Morning, Prompting Workers to Think Winter Preparation

DULUTH, Minn. – Greens around the Northland turned white Tuesday morning as much of the Northland experienced a first frost. Staff with Duluth Golf tell FOX 21, fall is one of the busiest times to get out and enjoy a tee time. By the end of October, General Manager Mike Bender says the course superintendent will be shutting down nine…

Zoo Receives Tourism Tax Fund Grant

A Tourism Tax Fund Grant of up to $200,000 will Help Keep the Zoo's Doors Open Through the End of 2017

DULUTH, Minn. – Monday evening the Duluth City Council voted to once again help financially keep the doors open at the Lake Superior Zoo. The City approved a Tourism Tax Fund up to $200,000 dollars to help cover operational costs at the facility through the end of 2017. The Zoo’s CEO Erik Simonson says the facility is now in a…