News

Essentia Health Fitness Expo Launches Grandma’s Marathon Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — As the Grandma’s crowd gets settled in before tomorrow’s race, runners gathered at the DECC for the Essentia Health Fitness Expo. Starting last night, runners had the chance to grab their race packets with all necessary information for the big day. Every year the expo displays the latest in athletic wear and gear from over 100 vendors….

Local Musicians Participate in Make Music Day

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Sounds of music filled the streets in Superior, Friday, for Make Music Day. Make Music Day is a worldwide celebration, where local musicians showcase their talent during outdoor festivals. For the third year, the City of Superior partook in the musical celebration hosting around 30 performers over 16 venues. All styles, ages and experience levels of musicians…

Jury: Sanussi Bangoura Guilty in Fatal Drive-By Shooting

DULUTH, Minn. — A 22-year-old Duluth man has been found guilty for his involvement in the death of a man and injuring another last august. The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office says a jury has found 22-year-old Sanussi Bangoura guilty of three felonies including aiding and abetting second degree murder and drive-by shooting. Bangoura and his co-defendent 25-year-old Brandon Williams-Gillard shot…

Coffee Conversation: FundRacers Running for a Reason at Grandma’s Marathon

DULUTH, Minn. — Mile in My Shoes FundRacers will take part in Grandma’s Marathon this weekend, including Resident Members (people experiencing homelessness, exiting incarceration, in recovery and transitioning post-military service) and volunteer Run Mentors. Two FundRacers with MiMS, Ruth Sorenson and Darren Reed, joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Friday ahead of Grandma’s Marathon. Ruth is a current Run…

Grandma’s Spaghetti Dinner Readies to Feed Thousands

DULUTH, Minn. — Grandma’s Marathon puts on a spaghetti dinner each year dating back to when the rate got its start in 1976. In the DECC’s industrial kitchens, the magic happens as food preparations are underway to feed over 5,000 runners, friends and guests at the much anticipated spaghetti dinner at Grandma’s Marathon. This year’s head chef is Jerry Carpenter,…

Ashland County Sheriff Received $228 Thousand to Aid the Fight Against Opioids

ASHLAND, Wis. — It kills more Wisconsinites a year than car crashes. Opioids, a powerful prescribed painkiller, has overwhelmed communities across the country. In 2023, Wisconsin saw just over 1,300 opioid-related deaths. To combat rising opioid death rates, the state of Wisconsin has announced grants being awarded to law enforcement agencies state-wide.  “As Attorney General, my top priority is public…

Coffee Conversation: Marathon Runner Seeks Redemption at Grandma’s Marathon after Injury

DULUTH, Minn. — Tony Loyd is an avid runner, and Grandma’s Marathon is one race he annually takes part in. Last year, injury prevented him from competing. Now that he is healthy and uninjured, Tony is registered and ready for his 2024 redemption race in Duluth. Tony was on the morning newscast last year, and returned Friday to talk about…

Michipicoten Returns to the Duluth/Superior Harbor

DULUTH, Minn. — On Thursday, June 20, the 689-foot Michipicoten safely arrived back to the Twin Ports after spending nearly two weeks in Thunder Bay, Ontario for temporary repair. The vessel suffered a crack to its hull on June 8, taking on significant water near Isle Royale on Lake Superior. Thursday night, the ship was escorted 180 miles by the…

Cook Community Leans On Each Other As Swollen River Takes Over Downtown

Gov. Walz will visit Cook and Biwabik on Thursday to survey the flood damage.

COOK, Minn. – The small, close-knit city of Cook is dealing with a big problem.  The swollen Littlefork River has sent feet of water into the low-lying downtown. Homes and businesses are surrounded by water.  Some basements have feet of water, according to locals. There was a slight sign of relief Thursday because forecasters believe the river has hit its…

UPDATE: Two Juveniles Arrested in Robbery and Assault of 75-year-old Man

DULUTH, Minn. — Two male juveniles, a 14-year-old and 16-year-old, were arrested Wednesday, June 19 in the assault and robbery of a 75-year-old man in the DECC parking ramp. UPDATE (6/20): The juveniles are facing pending charges of Aid and Abet 1st Aggravated Robbery and 3rd Degree Riot charges. They were detained at about 10:30 pm on Wednesday, June 19…

Coffee Conversation: Super Rhubarb Festival 2024 Preview

DULUTH, Minn. — The Super Rhubarb Festival will return to Duluth on Saturday, June 29, commemorating Chum’s 50th Anniversary. CHUM Director of Communications and Marketing Bradley Zwagerman and Rhubarbara joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Thursday ahead of the event. The festival is taking place on Saturday, June 29, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at Stella Maris Academy Holy…

Littlefork River Flooding Downtown Cook

COOK, Minn. — The downtown area of Cook is flooding from a rising creek, and it’s only going to get worse, according to forecasters. Forecasters are predicting the swollen Littlefork River will continue to rise sending more water into Cook, raising the water by a half foot to even a foot. FOX 21 will have more on this story tonight…

Biwabik and Giant’s Ridge Area Feel Storm’s Wrath

Police watch area and lawmaker says damages in "tens of millions" of dollars

Some areas of the Northland had stalled cars, washed out roads and flooded basements. It other places, the earth literally opened up. That was the case along a portion of the Mesabi Bike Trail near Biwabik, with a gaping cave-in between Giants Ridge and Highway 135. Tuesday night emergency crews were called into the rainy darkness to deal with a…

Flood Aftermath in the Iron Range

The Iron Range was hit with heavy rainfall Tuesday, resulting in many basements and roadways being flooded.

HIBBING, Minn. — One day after a large storm brought severe rainfall to the Iron Range, parts of Hibbing are left with multiple roadways still flooded over. There were also many reports of basements flooded in Hibbing and surrounding areas. “The little bit in the basement just kind of got it wet, we had to move and basically clean it…

Latest on Road Closures and Rainfall Totals Following Severe Weather

NORTHLAND – Severe storms brought plenty of disasters in northern Minnesota Tuesday night. The National Weather Service reports 1.5 to more than 7 inches of rain have fallen within just a few hours. Tornadic wind speeds brought reports of a waterspout spotted outside of Tofte at 5:19 p.m., a confirmed tornado outside of Cotton, and funnel clouds spotted over Moose…

FOX 21 Local News At 9: Tuesday’s Severe Weather Coverage

NORTHLAND — Video from viewers from around the Northland shows manholes unable to hold all the rain water in Bovey. The streets were comparable to small riverways. A similar story comes out of McKinley, as the heavy rainfall sends water down the streets and around homes. Video from viewers in Hibbing shows parking lots flooded. With vehicle owners moving cars…

Grandma’s Marathon Officials Monitoring Weather Threats

DULUTH, Minn. — With Grandmas Marathon taking place this weekend, organizers are keeping a close eye on potential weather threats. Race staff have been working with the National Weather Service to monitor rain events and patterns for the race weekend are showing rain with potential thunderstorms. Organizers say the race is currently as planned but they will continue to watch…

Coffee Conversation: What Runners Should Know Ahead of Grandma’s Marathon

DULUTH, Minn. — The final sprint is on to Grandma’s Marathon. Here’s what runners should know before race day. Essentia Health Athletic Trainer Christina Nistler, who has also ran 10 marathons, joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Tuesday to talk about how runners can stay healthy before and after a big race like Grandma’s Marathon. Nistler also talked about…

Lake Superior Zoo Kicks Off Pollinator Week

DULUTH, Minn.– The Lake Superior Zoo is celebrating a special week. A week celebrating an important part of nature. Pollinators are responsible for keeping the ecosystem alive and thriving. The Lake Superior Zoo kicked off the week with pollinator day, where they highlighted the keystone species. “Coming to the zoo, you can learn about pollinators and learn about native and…

Neighbor’s “Quick Action” Saves Three and a House from Overnight Fire

DULUTH, Minn. — A neighbor is being credited for their “quick response” in saving three people and a house from fire early Tuesday morning. According to the Duluth Fire Department, fire broke out at a house on West 6th street at about 12:12 Tuesday morning. Upon arrival, crews discovered the front steps and porch engulfed in flames. Officers made sure…

Minnesota Rural Health Conference Going on in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn — Health professionals from across the state are at the DECC for the Minnesota Rural Health Conference. The workforce shortage is one of the main topics during the two-day conference. The issue is not limited to doctors and nurses, but the whole spectrum of providers.This includes administrative workers who can help manage and keep costs in check. Alyssa…

Carrying the Torch for Special Olympics

DULUTH, MINN — The Special Olympics Minnesota Annual Torch Run across the state went through Duluth today. The Minnesota Special Olympic Games began last weekend and this weekend will be at Stillwater High School. In addition to officers from The Duluth Police Department, officers from UMD, Hermantown, and the 148th Fighter Wing Security were taking part in the torch run…

Nothern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps Gets Some Upgrades

DULUTH, Minn.– A new location means new beginnings for this nonprofit historic preservation group. Nothern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps is an opportunity for young adults to get hands on learning experience. Through this nonprofit, they learn all the skills they need to help preserve and restore sites across the state. Before that is achieved, they offer the Americorps training program…

Community Prepares for Grandma’s Marathon

DULUTH, Minn.– The biggest event in Duluth is right around the corner. Canal Park in downtown Duluth is gearing up for the biggest race in the Northland. They are wasting no time to make sure everything is ready for the event. There is so much that goes into the impactful weekend. It all comes down to the little details that…

Coffee Conversation: Two One-Act Murder Mysteries at Time Arc Theatre

SUPERIOR, WI. — Two one-act murder mysteries, Murder in Poplar and Heartbreak, will take the stage at Time Arc Theatre June 21 – June 30. Director of Murder in Poplar Kathleen Laakso and Director of Heartbreak Rob Larson joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Monday ahead of opening night. The Time Arc Theatre is located in the Old Post…

YMCA Camp Cabin Burns Down Overnight

Vacant Cabin Burns Down Near Babbitt

BABBITT, Minn. — The Babbitt and Morse-Fall Lake Fire Departments responded to a structure fire at YMCA Camp Northern Lights early Sunday morning. According to the Northland FireWire, a fire was reported at around 7:10 a.m. Babbitt Fire Chief Tony Chamberlin said firefighters found a cabin that had burned overnight. The cabin was vacant at the time. The cause of…

Bomb Threat to Grand Marais Pride Event Under Investigation

The Cook County Sheriff's Office is Continuing to Investigate Saturday Morning's Threat

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. — The Cook County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a bomb threat Saturday morning directed at a Pride Event in Grand Marais. The threat was reported at approximately 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning. The Sheriff’s Office responded immediately, performing a precautionary sweep. It yield negative result and the Sheriff’s Office determined there was no indication of an active threat…

78 Countries at Swiss Conference Agree Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity Must Be Basis of Any Peace

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that negotiations with Russia “can start tomorrow” as long as Putin withdraws troops from Ukrainian territory.

OBBÜRGEN, Switzerland (AP) — Nearly 80 countries called Sunday for the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to end Russia’s two-year war, though some key developing nations at a Swiss conference did not join in. The way forward for diplomacy remains unclear. The joint communique capped a two-day conference marked by the absence of Russia, which was not invited. Many…

31st Taste of Greece Festival Celebrates Through Food, Dance, and Community

Spanakopita, pastichio, dolmades, oh my!

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluthians from eight months to 98 years old lined up at Marshall School for the 31st Annual Taste of Greece Festival over the weekend. The two-day festival started out in the Twelve Holy Apostles Orthodox Church parking lot, but has grown over the decades to take over the Marshall School gymnasium and front lawn. Today, people came…

Quilters Honor K9’s With a Quilt of Honor.

DULUTH, Minn — What began as an effort to recognize the K9 that lived next door when he retired after 11 years serving the Indian River County Sheriff’s Department in Florida, is now spreading throughout the country and internationally. The creator and founder of ‘K9 Quilts of Honor’, Carolyn Bluhm was a novice quilter when she made her first Quilt…

Oceans Alive Exhibit Opens

DULUTH, Minn.– A new exhibit made a splash Friday morning at the Great Lakes Aquarium. The Oceans Alive made its debut. The goal with this new exhibit is to represent how our oceans, climate, and local habitats are all connected. The project combines both freshwater, and saltwater enclosures in one area. They are welcoming a giant Pacific octopus, along with…