Public Safety Archives

Two people detained at El Charro Mexican Bar and Grill in Hibbing, Minnesota (10/29/2025)

What we know about the Northern Minnesota immigration raids

19 hours ago

Matt McConico,

Two people detained at El Charro Mexican Bar and Grill in Hibbing, Minnesota (10/29/2025) DULUTH, Min.- There were at least three likely immigration-related actions around Northern Minnesota on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Here is what we know about them at this point. El Charro Mexican Bar and Grill, 2520 E Beltline, Hibbing: A FOX21 photographer happened to be getting lunch…

ICE Raids 2 Mexican Restaurants in Hibbing, Detains Multiple People

The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office says a cocaine investigation alerted ICE to undocumented aliens

October 29, 2025

KQDS Staff,

HIBBING, Minn. — New information was released Wednesday evening about two ICE raids in Hibbing earlier in the day involving two Mexican restaurants. A law enforcement official close to the investigation told FOX 21 that federal agents detained eight undocumented people, including the owner of the two restaurants. And the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said it all came to…

SNAP Text scams showing up in Minnesota

October 29, 2025

Matt McConico,

COOK COUNTY, Min. – The Cook County Public Health department says there are SNAP text message scams going around. They say the Minnesota Department of Children Youth and Families has been alerted of the scam. This scam claims that all Minnesota residents qualify for emergency food relief. The text asks recipients to click a link to claim funds. Cook County…

Hibbing Celebrates Groundbreaking on New Public Safety Building

October 29, 2025

Jadie Jones,

HIBBING, Minn. — Hibbing celebrated the groundbreaking for their new Public Safety Building. The new building will house the Police and Fire departments together under one roof. This will increase communication between departments, reduce response times, and provide more space for training, equipment, and technology. “Response time is a matter of seconds in life or death, and any time you…

Highway 2 in Iron river reopened after crash

October 29, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

UPDATE: All lanes have been reopened. IRON RIVER, Wis. — A portion of Highway 2 is closed due to a car crash. According to officials, all lanes are closed on Eastbound Highway 2 at Highway H in the town of Iron River. They are estimated to reopen in two hours. FOX21 is working to learn more. Check back for updates….

Eight-Point Buck shot in Ely city limits

October 29, 2025

Matt McConico,

Minnesota DNR Logo ELY, Min. – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is investigating a deer being shot in Ely city limits. The DNR reports a deer “was shot with a bow inside the city limits”. The shooting was on the 1100 block of East Main Street, which is near the Ely Recreational Center. The eight-point buck was shot on…

Portion of Highway 2 in Bayfield County reopened after vehicle fire

October 28, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

UPDATE: Officials say all lanes are now open. BAYFIELD COUNTY, Wis. — A vehicle fire has closed a portion of Highway 2 in Bayfield County. According to officials, all westbound lanes on Highway 2 at Tomich Road are closed. The portion has been closed since 5 a.m., and officials say the closure is expected to last over 2 hours. Check…

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Occupants escape Virginia house fire uninjured

October 24, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

(Credit: Northland FireWire) VIRGINIA, Minn. — The occupants of a home that caught fire late Thursday evening in Virginia escaped with no injuries. According to the Northland Firewire, the fire was reported around 11:10 p.m. in the 400 block of 2nd Avenue North. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to a room on the second floor while the occupants were…

Vehicle fire singes home in Cloquet; Three people and dog rescued

October 23, 2025

Matt McConico,

Fire on 1700 Block of Trail Drive in Cloquet on October 23, 2025 CLOQUET, Min. – An SUV caught fire the driveway of a Cloquet home on October 23, 2025. The Cloquet Area Fire District says the fire escalated rapidly. From the moment incident command arrived to the point crews were pulling hose lines, the intensity grew fast. Three elderly…

Former Timberwolves player Chauncey Billups charged in sports betting and Mafia-backed poker schemes

October 23, 2025

Matt McConico,

Chauncey Billups NEW YORK (AP) — Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested Thursday along with more than 30 other people accused of participating in schemes involving illegal sports betting and rigged poker games backed by the Mafia, authorities said. Rozier is accused in participating in an illegal sports betting scheme using…

Popular local singer Todd Eckart killed in head-on crash

October 23, 2025

Matt McConico, Dan Hanger,

Todd Eckart on FOX21 Morning News DULUTH, Min. & AMNICON, Wis. – The uncle of Todd Eckart has confirmed to FOX 21 that the popular local musician was killed in a head-on crash in Wisconsin. The crash happened at 2:12 p.m. on October 22, 2025 in Amnicon Township. Todd was a standout when it came to entertaining the Duluth area…

Man that escaped from NERCC has initial appearance in court

October 22, 2025

Matt McConico,

Michael Todd Hart GRAND RAPIDS, Min. – Michael Todd Hart made his initial appearance in Itasca County Court on charges after his alleged escaped from Northeast Regional Corrections Center. His initial appearance was on October 22, 2025. He is still remanded in custody. All the charges he’s facing in Itasca County are from his actions following the alleged escape. In…

Two dead in wrong way crash on Highway 53 in Amnicon

October 22, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

UPDATE: The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office say two people were killed in the head-on collision. It happened at 2:12pm on October 22, 2025. A vehicle traveling northbound in the southbound lanes between Berg Park Rd. and Kent Rd. collided head-on with a southbound vehicle. The victims were the drivers and sole occupants of the vehicles. Identification is withheld pending notifications. AMNICON,…

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office warns of scam calls pretending to be law enforcement

October 22, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

DULUTH, Minn. — The St. Louis County Sheriff’s office is warning community members of potential scam calls. According to officials, they have become aware of scam calls where the caller claims to be a member of law enforcement. In some cases, these callers demand money for different reasons, such as missed court dates or failing to appear for witness testimony….

Northland Country Club Asks For Public’s Help After Vandals Strike Twice

October 21, 2025

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — Vandals have struck the Northland Country Club two times in one week. The people, who appear on surveillance video to be in their younger years, trespassed the property during the early morning hours of Oct. 16 and 18. Management says carts and green were damaged, doors were kicked in, locks were cut, and storage areas were broken…

Man charged with stalking, accused of sending Wisconsin’s chief justice intimidating emails

October 21, 2025

Matt McConico,

Jill Karofsky MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Prosecutors have charged a Wisconsin man with stalking after he allegedly sent liberal state Supreme Court Justice Jill Karofsky a series of intimidating emails. Ryan Thornton, 37, of Racine was charged Monday with one felony count of stalking. He faces up to 3 1/2 years in prison if convicted. His attorney, listed in court…

Truck collides with school bus in Hermantown

October 21, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — A truck collided with a school bus Tuesday morning in Hermantown. According to officials, at 8:15 a.m., they responded to the crash at the intersection of Stebner Road and Mpale Grove Road. A pickup truck traveling North on Stebner Road rear-ended the bus while they were approaching a red light at the intersection. Officials say the driver…

Business dealings listed within Hog Wild BBQ and Smokehouse Restaurant arson case

October 20, 2025

Matt McConico,

Steven W Kastern Covering Surveillance Camera SUPERIOR, Wis. & SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. – In the indictment of Steven and Kimberly Kastern for the fire at Hog Wild BBQ and Smokehouse Restaurant, there were a number of business dealings mentioned. The was a fire at the establishment on June 10, 2025. The couple were arrested on October 17, 2025 and were…

Owner of Hog Wild BBQ covered surveillance camera prior to fire at the business: Indictment

October 20, 2025

Matt McConico,

SUPERIOR, Wis. & SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. – Surveillance video allegedly shows Steven W. Kastern taking steps to cover-up the alleged arson of the Hog Wild BBQ and Smokehouse Restaurant on June 10, 2025. A DVR system in the office stored surveillance recordings from, “approximately 14 cameras throughout the establishment” was key in the indictment. The indictment claims, “DVR footage showed…

Pumpkin Train Forced to Strike Vehicle at Duluth Crossing

October 19, 2025

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — The North Shore Scenic Railroad’s (NSSR) last Pumpkin Train of the season got an unexpected delay Sunday after a driver ignored safety signals and ultimately got clipped by the train in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood, according to train officials. “Always assume that there is a train coming. Stop fully. Don’t go to a soft stop, stop fully. Look…

Police: Man Called in Bomb Threat at SCCU in Ashland

October 19, 2025

Dan Hanger,

ASHLAND, Wis. — A man is accused of calling in a bomb threat to Superior Choice Credit Union in Ashland Saturday. Police said the suspect said the bomb was in his safety deposit box at the bank. The building was evacuated as a precaution. The bomb squad was called in from Marathon County. No device was ever located. The suspect…

Trump says he has commuted sentence of former US Rep. George Santos in federal fraud case

October 17, 2025

Matt McConico,

George Santos WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday he had commuted the sentence of former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who is serving more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft charges. The New York Republican was sentenced in April after admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of…

Expect delays on Lift Bridge next week

October 17, 2025

Matt McConico,

Aerial Lift Bridge DULUTH, Min. – Both drivers and pedestrians could be facing minor delays with bridge inspections. Starting on Monday, October 20, 2025 the Aerial Lift Bridge and Minnesota Slip Bridge will undergo inspections. The inspection work is expect to last throughout the week. The inspections will require frequent and slow lifts of the bridge Aerial Lift Bridge to allow…

Man accused of assaulting Essentia nurses has history of nurse assault

October 17, 2025

Matt McConico,

Joseph Minowanigogezhig Legarde DULUTH, Min. – The man accused of assaulting two nurses at Essentia’s St. Mary’s Emergency Department had previously been convicted of assaulting Emergency Department staff. The recent assault allegedly happened at approximately 3a.m on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Duluth Police tell FOX21 he is accused of assaulting two female nurses. In November of 2017, Legarde was arrested…

New information on assault in Essentia Emergency Department

October 17, 2025

Matt McConico,

Joseph Minowanigogezhig Legarde DULUTH, Min. – Joseph Minowanigogezhig Legarde has officially been charged with two counts of assault from his alleged action in the Essentia St. Mary’s Emergency Department. It happened on October 16, 2025. According to charging documents Legarde was in a emergency room and activated his call light. When a nurse responded to the call light, Legarde allegedly…

New District Court Judge named for Duluth

October 17, 2025

Matt McConico,

Nathan Lacoursiere DULUTH, Min. – Governor Tim Walz has announced the appointment of Nathan LaCoursiere as District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Sixth Judicial District. LaCoursiere will replace the Honorable Eric L. Hylden and will be chambered in Duluth in St. Louis County. In making the announcement Gov. Walz said, “Nathan LaCoursiere will be a remarkable judge… What makes him so…

Patient Assaults 2 Duluth Nurses At Essentia Health’s E.R.

October 16, 2025

KQDS Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. — Two female nurses at Essentia Health in Duluth were assaulted by a male patient in the Emergency Room around 3 a.m. Thursday. Duluth police said staff members were eventually able to restrain the man until police arrived. The man is being placed on a mental health hold. Once released, he will be taken to jail for two…

Amnicon Lake house fire leaves 1 dead

October 16, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

AMNICON LAKE, Wis. — One person is dead after a house fire in Amnicon Lake. (Credit: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office) According to officials, on Wednesday at 7:54 a.m., they responded to 7925 S Finn Point Rd to a report of a house on fire. Once the fire was put out, officials found the body of a 71-year-old man in the…

Structure destroyed in North Star Township fire

October 16, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

NORTH STAR TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A structure was deemed a complete loss after a fire in North Star Township. Fire officials say on Wednesday at around 8 p.m., they responded to reports structure on fire near the intersection of Pequaywan Lake Road and Fox Farm Road in North Star Township. The unoccupied cabin or deer shack was found to be a…

Crosby Fire nearly fully contained, Superior Hiking Trail set to reopen

October 15, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

Crosby Fire 10/11/2025 TOFTE, Minn. — In an update Wednesday, fire officials said the Crosby Fire is nearly fully contained. According to officials, the fire in the area of George H. Crosby Manitou State Park remains at 300 acres and is now 95% contained. SEE PREVIOUS: Crosby Fire now 85% contained The portion of the Superior Hiking Trail that was…

Fire Chief, Neighbors React To Hibbing House Explosion

October 14, 2025

Dan Hanger,

HIBBING, Minn. – A house explosion in Hibbing Sunday night sent flames into the air and injured one person. One day later, heavy equipment moved in, as the investigation into a cause of the blast continued. “All the neighbors were out, pajamas, bathrobes, whatever. People just came out. Everybody was chasing dogs every which way trying to, I suppose, when…

Lake Nebagamon man charged with possession of child pornography

October 14, 2025

Matt McConico,

Jackson Dallas Rabold SUPERIOR, Wis. – A Lake Nebagamon man is facing five counts of Possession of Child Pornography. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 19-year-old Jackson Dallas Rabold. The charging documents say investigators were initially tipped off to Rebold when Google detected, “258 files of suspected child pornography, stored on the google photos infrastructure.” The indictment continues to…

Man taunts Troopers after 100-mile-per-hour chase, later leaving note calling self ‘Undefeated driver #1’

October 14, 2025

Matt McConico,

Matthew Dean Irgang NEAR CHISHOLM, Min. – Charging documents say a man drove from Minnesota Highway Patrol Trooper at more than 100-miles per hour leading them on a chase, and later left a note taunting them. The report alleges a Trooper clocked Matthew Irgang, 43, Eveleth driving 101-miles per hour the evening of December 8, 2024. He was allegedly driving…

Crosby Fire now 85% contained

October 14, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

Crosby Fire 10/11/2025 TOFTE, Minn. — Officials released an update regarding the status of The Crosby Fire on Tuesday morning According to officials, the fire remains at around 300 acres and has been 85% contained. A portion of the Superior Hiking Trail remains closed. SEE PREVIOUS: Trail Access Restricted Due to Crosby Fire SEE PREVIOUS: Crosby Fire grows to 300…

Victim identified in fatal Central Hillside shooting

October 14, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

DULUTH, Minn. — The victim has been identified in a fatal shooting last week. According to officials, the victim has been identified as 35-year-old Chazz Toney. SEE PREVIOUS: 1 dead in overnight Duluth shooting The shooting occurred at 12:25 a.m. last Friday, around the 200 block of West 3rd Street. Officials say no arrests have been made and the…

Cellphones, Facebook Chats & A Tip: How deputies found the escaped NERCC prisoner

October 13, 2025

Matt McConico,

Michael Todd Hart DULUTH, Min. – Court documents are showing how deputies say they tracked down Michael Hart after he escaped from from Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC) and stayed on the run for about 2-weeks. The information was found in the charging documents for Devone Shackelton, Michael Hart’s girlfriend. Shackelton was charged with one count of Felony Aiding an…

Investigator suing the City of Superior resigns

October 13, 2025

Matt McConico,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Mikayla LeRette, the Investigator suing the city of Superior, has resigned. She resigned in good standing about the same time both LeRette’s legal team and the City of Superior’s legal team agreed to some confidentiality terms in her federal lawsuit. On October 2, 2025 an agreement was made to keep some parts of evidence in the lawsuit…

Minnesota Nurses Association members created “hostile environment” at DECC

October 13, 2025

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Min. – The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) says Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) members created a “hostile environment” in the facility where security had to be called. A statement from the DECC says an incident happened on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, around noon at its Harbor Side Convention facility. The DECC statement says, “Reports from DECC staff and…

Crews to teardown the remainder of home that exploded in Hibbing

October 13, 2025

Matt McConico,

UPDATE: The Minnesota Department of Public Safety tells FOX21 the State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the explosion. HIBBING, Min. – Crews are beginning to teardown the remainder of home a that exploded in Hibbing the evening of October 12, 2025. The house exploded in Hibbing around 6:30 p.m. Crews beginning to tear down remainder of house that exploded in…

Threat against Proctor school was made by students but not credible

October 13, 2025

Matt McConico,

UPDATE: The Proctor Police Department tells FOX21 the threat was made via a phone call. PROCTOR, Min. – In the late morning of October 13, 2025 the Proctor School District Superintendent said a recent threat against the school was not credible. Proctor High School In a statement Superintendent of Schools Tim Rohweder said, “The Proctor Police Department was made aware of…

Fire Departments Respond To House Explosion In Hibbing

October 12, 2025

Dan Hanger,

HIBBING, Minn. — A house exploded in Hibbing around 6:30 p.m. Sunday, injuring at least one person. At least six departments from the Iron Range immediately responded to the scene in the 2200 block of 9th Avenue East, according to the Hibbing Fire Department. The two-story house was engulfed in flames with officials arrived, which is located across the street…

Threat To Proctor Middle And High Schools; Increased Patrols This Week

October 12, 2025

Dan Hanger,

PROCTOR, Minn. — The Proctor School District and the Proctor Police Department are investigating a threat to the middle and high schools, which officials do not believe is credible. Supt. Tim Rohweder sent a lengthy email to families and staff Sunday about the threat, which referenced Oct. 13. Rohweder acknowledged how these situations can be “unsettling,” but he said it…

Duluth Police Detain Knife-Lunging Suspect

October 12, 2025

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH/HERMANTOWN, Minn. — A man is accused of lunging at shoppers with a knife in Duluth on Sunday. The call for help came in around 12:20 p.m. at the Petsmart along Mall Drive. When officers arrived, the 31-year-old suspect had already taken off, according the police. Several more reports lead duluth police to the area of Stebner Park in Hermantown…

Crosby Fire cause determined; Containment grows

October 11, 2025

Matt McConico,

Crosby Fire 10/11/2025 TOFTE, Min. – The Crosby Fire burning near Tofte has reached 50% containment on Sunday, Oct. 12. It has burned 300 acres. Investigators say the cause of the Crosby Fire has been determined to be a result of a lightning strike. Firefighters are making progress establishing a handline along the west and east sides of the fire’s…

Crosby Fire grows to 210 acres, 35% contained

October 10, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

TOFTE, Minn. — The Crosby fire has now grown to 210 acres. According to officials, the fire located near the George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is now 35% contained. A larger portion of the Superior Hiking Trail is now closed in the area of the fire. Water scooping aircraft and helicopters are being used to support firefighters on…

1 dead in overnight Duluth shooting

October 10, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

DULUTH, Minn. — One person is dead after a shooting in Duluth early Friday morning. According to officials, at 12:25 a.m., they responded to reports of a shooting in the 200 block of West 3rd Street. When they arrived, they found a man dead from an apparent gunshot wound. Officials are asking people in the area to check their surveillance…

Crosby Fire triples in size, now 25% contained

October 10, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

TOFTE, Minn. — The wildfire burning up the north shore has now over tripled in size. The Crosby fire, located near the George H. Crosby Manitou State Park, is now mapped at 160 acres and is 25% contained. SEE PREVIOUS: Crosby Fire grows to 50 acres Crews are tackling the fire from the ground and by air. A portion of…

Crosby Fire grows to 50 acres

October 9, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

TOFTE, Minn. — Overnight, the Crosby Fire has grown to 50 acres. Officials say that the fire in the area of George H. Crosby Manitou State Park has almost doubled in size. SEE PREVIOUS: Crews respond to fire near Crosby Manitou State Park The Park and the Superior Hiking Trail remain open to the public, but visitors are advised to…

1 injured in Central Hillside shooting

October 9, 2025

Jason VanHorn,

DULUTH, Minn. — One person is injured after a shooting in Duluth. According to officials, at around 12:55 a.m. Thursday, police responded to a report of shots fired in the 600 block of North 3rd Avenue East. When they arrived, they found a 47-year-old man with gunshot wounds. The man was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials…

Normanna Volunteer Fire Dept. Fundraising Event Returns Oct. 11

October 8, 2025

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Normanna Volunteer Fire Department is getting ready for its third-annual Normanna Fire Squatch 5K fundraising event this Saturday, Oct. 11. 2024 Squatch 5K The fun starts at 9 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, followed by the 5K race and a baby Squatch 1K for the kids. Vendors will be on hand, a silent auction and activities…