News

Genocide Awareness Workshop at UMD

Northlanders Were Educated About Past and Current Genocides and How They Can Be Prevented

DULUTH, Minn. – At UMD, a workshop was held to educate Northlanders about genocide that has happened throughout the world and genocide still going on today. The workshop featured four guest speakers who discussed the Holocaust and genocide affecting Native Americans and people in Africa and Armenia. “It’s happening in Syria right now, it’s happening in all parts of the…

Northland Horse Fair Fills the Mariner Mall

12th Annual Event Brings Hundreds of Horse Lovers to Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Saturday was the 12th annual Northland Horse Fair at the Mariner Mall. Horse lovers from across the area could meet mini-horses, shop from dozens of horse-related vendors, and attend presentations about horse riding, grooming, and health. “A lot of the horse people expressed a need for wanting an event in the area that was just a way…

Motorhead Madness Returns to the DECC

Thousands of Gearheads Attended Regional Car Show

DULUTH, Minn. – Gearheads gathered at the DECC Saturday for the 49th annual Motorhead Madness event. More than 150 one-of-a-kind cars and other vehicles are on display, plus all kinds of interactive fun including remote-controlled car races, model making, and a used parts swap meet. Many of the hot-rod creators think of themselves as artist who use a different kind…

Updegrove Kicks Off Council Campaign

Candidate was Delagate for Bernie Sanders

DULUTH, Minn. – There’s another candidate hoping to fill one of the Duluth City Council’s two at–large seats. Rich Updegrove offically kicked off his campaign Saturday. Updegrove wants to focus on housing, homeless rights as well as keeping Lake Superior clean. “I really want to place our lake at the forefront of what I’m doing,” said Updegrove.  “I think it’s…

Fire Destroys Semi at Hibbing Community College

Damage was Limited by Automatic Sprinkler System

HIBBING, Minn. – A truck was destroyed during a fire early Saturday morning at Hibbing Community College. Fire crews from Hibbing, Chisholm and Keewatin responded to the scene shortly before 5:00 a.m. Saturday.  When crews arrived, the fire had been contained by the building’s automatic sprinkler system. The truck, a 2014 Freightliner, was a total loss.  The building sustained only…

A Musical Fundraiser for Mentor Duluth

Organization Connects Mentors to Children Who Need Them

DULUTH, Minn. – Mentor Duluth celebrated one of the group’s biggest nights of the year Friday evening. It was Mentor Duluth’s March into Mentoring fundraiser.  Everyone on hand was treated to live music. March is the program’s biggest fundraising month and Mentor Duluth is close to the goal of 31 new mentors recruited in March. Organizers say mentoring youth is…

Kenwood Village Open for Business

Developers Held Ribbon-Cutting Friday

DULUTH, Minn. – Another in a series of mixed use developments in Duluth is open for business. United properties celebrated the opening of Kenwood Village with a ribbon cutting Friday afternoon. The new building features luxury apartments as well as retail space.  Developers say Friday’s opening marked the end of a three year process. “Our vison from three years ago…

4th District City Council Candidate Plans Listening Sessions

DULUTH, Minn. – Fourth District Duluth City Council candidate, Renee Van Nett, has announced she will be starting a series of listening sessions with the community. Residents of the 4th District are encouraged to come out and share their comments and concerns. Van Nett is working toward building positive relationships within the community and ensuring that the 4th District is…

Iron Range Murder Remains Unsolved 40 Years Later

$50,000 Award Offered for Information

AURORA, Minn.-Forty years ago today, 19-year-old Cindy Elias was murdered eight miles north of Aurora. Her body was buried under a pile of brush near a logging road after suffering multiple injuries to her head. The victim was last seen leaving a bar in Virginia, at about 12:30 a.m. Patrons said she was thinking about hitchhiking that night. Three years ago,…

Denfeld Grad Named One of World’s Top Leaders

Currently Serves as Minneapolis Police Chief

DULUTH, Minn.- Minneapolis police chief and Denfeld graduate Janeé Harteau has been named one of the world’s greatest leaders. Yesterday Fortune Magazine revealed a list of the top 50 most influential leaders. The former Duluthian ranked number 22, right behind U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts. She ranked right ahead of former Vice President Joe Biden. To read the full article…

Board of Regents Talks Budget

Also Approved Internal Review to Look Into Gophers Sexual Assault Case

DULUTH, Minn.-The University of Minnesota Board of Regents met at UMD once again today, to discuss budget issues. The University System has a $4 billion budget which still needs to be approved by legislators. It’s expected the budget will not be approved until May or June. Whatever is decided, could have a big impact on tuition rates. “This is preliminary…

Local Groups Come Together to Support Obamacare

Fear Many Will Lose Insurance if ACA Replaced

DULUTH, Minn.-Some local doctors and politicians came together today to express their dismay over the possibility of repealing the Affordable Care Act. The Northland HealthCare Alliance, headed up the event, with the goal of making the community aware of what a repeal of the ACA would mean. One Duluth City Council also expressed concern, believing many Northlanders would lose health…

New Executive Director Plans to Make Bong Veterans Historical Center More Social

Hayes Scriven plans to bring more community events to the museum

SUPERIOR, Wis. – There’s a new face in charge of Superior’s Bong Veterans Historical Center. Hayes Scriven was hired as the executive director, to oversee the museum’s day-to-day operations and help with fundraising. Scriven interned with the center while in school at UMD and plans to make the museum more social, by opening it up for more community events. He…

STARBASE STEM Program Gets Trial Run with Duluth Elementary Students

State Sen. Erik Simonson says he's working on legislation to expand the program to Duluth by next school year

DULUTH, Minn. – The 148th Fighter Wing hosted a group of Duluth elementary school kids for a unique look at a future in science, technology, engineering, and math . All week, instructors from the STARBASE program in the Twin Cities worked with 5th graders from Lowell Elementary, applying lessons learned in the classroom to stem challenges and experiments. “We get…

House of Hearts Brings Curlers Together to Support “Project Joy” Program

Organizers hope to raise about $40,000 to help feed hungry kids on weekends

DULUTH, Minn. – Some of America’s best curlers are in Duluth raising money by doing what they do best. More than 100 curlers are here for the 16th Annual House of Hearts charity bonspiel, raising money for Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank’s “Project Joy” program. “That organization was started by the Plys family. They started that in Patrick’s name…

Motorhead Madness Car Show Starts Saturday

Remote–controlled car races, free model making for kids, and a used parts swap meet are all planned for the event

DULUTH, Minn. – If cars are your passion, a drive to the DECC is in order this weekend. The 49th Annual Motorhead Madness car show starts at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning. Owners from around the region will be showing off a variety of cars, both old and new, from the early 1920s up to the 2000s. Vendors will also be…

GOP Pulls Health Care Overhaul Off House Floor

WASHINGTON (AP) – Speaker Paul Ryan has abruptly pulled the Republicans’ troubled health care overhaul off the House floor. The decision was a humiliating setback for President Donald Trump and congressional leaders. The bill had appeared all but certain to be defeated Friday. The roll call was on track to occur in about an hour. The measure has been a…

Keystone XL Pipeline Approved

Was Originally Blocked by President Obama

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump says, “It’s a great day for American jobs” after his administration issued a permit to build the long-delayed Keystone XL pipeline. The decision marks a reversal from the Obama administration and clears the way for the $8 billion project to be completed. The president says the decision ushers in a “new era”…

Police Issue Search Warrant of Minneapolis Liquor Store

After the store opened on a Sunday...several months early

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – Minneapolis police are seeking surveillance video and sales records for Surdyk’s Liquor from Sunday, March 12, when the liquor store opened its doors for premature, illegal Sunday liquor sales. A search warrant filed in Hennepin County court seeks video footage from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day, as well as point of sale transaction records and…

Hermantown K9 Officer Receives Body Armor

The vest is sponsored by an Anonymous Donor

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown Police Department’s K9, Jack, has received a bullet and stab protective vest. The vest comes as a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Jack’s vest is sponsored by an Anonymous Donor and has been embroidered with the sentiment “Born to love, trained to serve, loyal to the end.” K9 Jack hit the…

Assistant Principal Facing Sexual Conduct Charges

The public's assistance has been requested by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office

BELTRAMI COUNTY, Minn. – Assistant Principal of Bemidji Middle School was placed in custody at the Beltrami County Jail, on Thursday, March 22. Brandon Bjerkness, 34, has been charged with two counts of solicitation of children to engage in sexual Brandon BjerknessBeltrami County Jail conduct. He has been contacting juvenile children through Facebook, Snapchat, and email accounts he had set…

Wisconsin’s Budget Could be $1 Billion Short by 2021

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin’s state budget could be more than $1 billion in the red by 2021, based on the proposal submitted by Governor Scott Walker that the Legislature is considering. The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau released an updated analysis of the state budget for the two years after the period covered by Walker’s current budget proposal. It finds…

Mayo Clinic Helps Reunite Boy Battling Cancer with Lost Teddy Bear

The teddy bear received a police escort back to his owner

Courtesy Tracy Remme ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) – A 5-year-old boy who briefly lost the teddy bear that has helped him through cancer treatment was reunited with his stuffed animal thanks to Mayo Clinic workers, a round of social media shares, and a police escort. Aiden Remme, of Brewster, Minnesota, was undergoing his 60th round of chemotherapy when Teddy went missing….

Award-Winning Author to Speak on Addiction & Recovery

Two Presentations to be Held in Moose Lake

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – Addiction to drugs and alcohol is an issuing affecting families around the country. Many Minnesotans have had friends and family members suffer from some type of addiction. One Minnesotan who has faced these challenges is award-winning author and public speaker Daniel D. Maurer. Maurer’s non-fiction brand deals with personal transformation and how a person’s story affects…

Tuning Bicycles for Spring Season

Active Adventures: Bicycling

DULUTH, Minn. – Spring is here and many folks are getting their bicycles ready for the riding season. Over at Twin Ports Cyclery, Owner Denis Sauve helped FOX 21’s William Seay pick out the right fit. Sauve says the main thing people should check when tuning up their bikes for the season is the chain. He says Twin Ports Cyclery…

Hibbing Airport Officials Concerned Over Budget

Delta Airlines Could Leave Airport if $2.8 Million Subsidy is Lost

HIBBING, Minn. – The proposed federal budget concerns another local community. This time the focus is on Hibbing’s Range Regional Airport. As one of 12 weekly flights from Range Regional Airport prepared for take–off Thursday, airport officials’ thoughts were in Washington, D.C. as the Federal Aviation Administration Re-Authorization Bill hits Congress. “The FAA Re-Authorization Bill is reintroduced every couple of…

Donations Needed to Send Northland Veterans on Honor Flight

A spaghetti dinner fundraiser will be held this Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m

DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland’s tenth Honor Flight will depart Duluth next month for Washington D.C., but they still need help to get there. Honor Flight Northland is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser this Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the All American Club, 1931 West Michigan Street. Dinner is $10 per person. All money raised will fund sending…

Paine Trying To Build on Strong Mayoral Primary Results

The two candidates for mayor of Superior took part in a debate Thursday night

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Jim Paine says he feels he’s feeling good as Election Day approaches. The candidate for mayor of Superior had a strong performance in last month’s primary, receiving nearly 600 more votes than his opponent Brent Fennessey. According to Paine, eight labor organization and more than two dozen current and former elected officials have come forward to endorse…

March 6 Tornado in Minnesota was Earliest on State Record

(National Weather Service) BRICELYN, Minn. (AP) – The National Weather Service says a tornado that hit a southern Minnesota campground this month, was the earliest twister on record in the state. The agency recently conducted a survey that confirmed a tornado tore through the Pihls Park campground northeast of Bricelyn on March 6. The Mankato Free Press reports the weather…

Structure Fire on N 24th Street in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Just before 6 p.m. this evening, all three fire crews, Battalion Chief, and Gold Cross Ambulance were called to a structure fire at 24 N 24th Street. Initial reports indicated there was light smoke visible from the front door of a single family home. Crews confirmed a fire in the wall by the main entrance. All crews…

Hagen Endorses Fennessey For Mayor

Thursday Morning, Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen Spoke to Superior Residents, Showing Support for Brent Fennessey

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Only 11 days remain before the City of Superior takes on new leadership. Thursday morning, Mayor Bruce Hagen announced he is endorsing mayoral candidate Brent Fennessey. “I believe that Brent Fennessey is the candidate and the only candidate that has these qualifications and proven experience,” said Mayor Bruce Hagen. Hagen believes Fennessey has a young, fresh vision…

White Nose Syndrome Found in Minnesota Bats

Tower Underground Mine a Top Spot for the Disease

TOWER, Minn.-The bat disease, known as white-nose syndrome, has been confirmed in six Minnesota counties. One of the top spots for it is in the Soudan Underground Mine State Park in Tower, where they’ve seen a 73 percent decrease in the number of bats in the mine. Tours will continue at the mine, as the mine will follow decontamination rules…

40th Anniversary of Aurora Cold Case Tomorrow

Reward Offered for More Information

AURORA, Minn.-Tomorrow marks the 40th anniversary of the unsolved murder of Cindy Elias. Her body was found eight miles north of Aurora. She was last seen in Virginia at about 12:30 a.m. at a local bar. She said she was looking for a ride home and said she might hitchhike. “Elias was found buried under a pile of brush at…

Virginia Co-Op Set to Relocate

New Building More than Doubles the Store's Size

VIRGINIA, Minn. – It’s an exciting time for members of Virginia’s Natural Harvest Co–Op. Next month, the co–op moves into a brand new 9,000 square foot store at 732 4th St N., which is double the size of the current building. The new co–op will feature a classroom, as well as a larger deli, including salad and hot bars. Natural…

Apartment Damaged in Wednesday Fire

Range Mental Health Agency Helping Resident

HIBBING, Minn. – Range Mental Health services are trying to find a Hibbing man a new apartment after a fire damaged his. The fire happened Wendesday on the 3rd floor of the Cobb–Cook Apartments, which are run by the Range Mental Health Center. The apartment was severely damaged and other apartments suffered water damage.  Nobody was hurt. Categories: Community, News,…

Education Bill Would Eliminate Early Education Funding

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – House Republicans are taking a defiant stand against Governor Mark Dayton by proposing the elimination of his signature early childhood education program. The proposed cuts announced Thursday are very different from Dayton’s proposed $175 million addition to the program and signals that a larger fight looms as lawmakers and the governor search for compromise. Dayton…

DOJ: Wausau Shootings an Isolated Incident with One Suspect

The incident stemmed from a domestic dispute

WZAWWAUSAU, Wis. – The area of Wausau and Rothschild were struck by tragedy yesterday, when four victims, including an officer of the Everest Metropolitan Police Department, were shot dead. At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, law enforcement received the report of an active shooter in Rothschild. The suspect visited the Marathon Savings Bank, killing two civilians, and a…

Minnesota Marijuana Oil Sent to New York Stirs Anger

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Some top Minnesota lawmakers want to crack down on a medical marijuana company whose former executives face felony charges for shipping marijuana oil to New York. County prosecutors charged two ex-executives at Minnesota Medical Solutions with felonies alleging they collaborated in late 2015 to ship $500,000 worth of marijuana oil to New York. The charges…

House GOP Leaders Postpone Health Care Vote

WASHINGTON (AP) – House Republican leaders have postponed a vote on their health care bill in a setback for President Donald Trump and Speaker Paul Ryan. Prospects for the Republicans’ showcase health care bill had looked grimmer by the minute Thursday, despite Trump’s personal lobbying of conservatives. That still left the legislation short of the votes needed for passage. A…

Students Get Hands-On Golf Lesson

Cook County is the First Northland School to host Golf in the Schools Program

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. – With Spring slowly taking hold local golf courses prepare to open.  Meanwhile, one local pro spent his Tuesday introducing kids to the sport. Students at Cook County School in Grand Marais spent their Physical Education period getting into the swing.  Of golf that is.  They took part in the Golf in the Schools program, sponsored by…

Mother Sentenced to Prison in Newborn’s Death

March 2016 photo of Shwe Htoo, 22, of St. Paul is accused of killing her 5-week-old son, Michael Kyaw Htoo, on Nov. 18, 2015. She was charged in Ramsey County District Court with second-degree murder. Photo courtesy of Ramsey County sheriff’s office.ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A St.Paul mother has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for fatally smothering…

Enbridge Cutting Workforce

"Limited" Cuts in Northland

DULUTH, Minn.-Enbridge is making some cuts to its job force across the country, including some in the Northland. According to a Reuters report, the layoffs were decided after purchasing Spectra Energy Corporation out of Houston. Enbridge officials told FOX 21 today, they are reducing one thousand positions company wide, which is about six percent of their workforce. Officials said the impact on…